Bestfriend

I received an early conventional Christmas card from my childhood bestfriend yesterday. Along with the card was a bookmark with some good words about friendship and I quote:

Friendship is a wonderful gift...Its's getting to know each other in an atmosphere of honesty and acceptance,of understanding and support.

Friendship is celebrating the good things that happen as well as crying together over the disappointments life sometimes brings our way.

In a letter attached to the card she wrote:

I always laugh out loud when telling the story of how Kenneth came home one day to find the house in total disarray and how we were flabbergasted when we realized we spent almost 3 hours looking at our old pictures from childhood...

Hahaha. We haven't seen each other for more than a decade and I actually expected us to make it up with each other as much as possible... to that extent yes :-)

To Jennifer, thank you for the card(s) and the letter. I'll try to reply it back as good and conventional as you could get. I also thought of scanning some of the pictures that got us all hooked up forgetting about getting the dinner ready for Kenneth and cleaning up all the mess in the house. I would post them on facebook :-)

Jennifer and I met at kindergarten. We went to the same school fra kindergarten to High School. We also lived together for a year when we were in college.

She is based in the Philippines working as a Senior Account Manager for the Philippine star.

Summer vacation 2009

It's been a while since I wrote something on my little blog. My husband and our three kids arrived days ago after 3 weeks on the road with our Volvo. We planned to drive from Norway until Italy and Spain but we "just" made it until Arcachon which is located near Bordeaux in France.























Here are the countries we've been to/drived through:

1. Denmark


2. Germany


3. Netherland


4. Belgium


5. France


6. Luxembourg


7. Sweden
   
   

We spent most of our time in France. We were in Paris for 2 days and wandered around the big and powerful city. To name some of the important landmarks we "conquered" are: Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel ower, Champs Elysse, Notre Dame, Place de la Concorde and a lot more.

This picture was taken on the top of Eiffel Tower. My husband gave me a French kiss on the spot where this picture was taken ;-)











We spent a day at Disneyland for the kids' sake. It was quite expensive staying there. Perhaps, because the entrance alone cost us 300 euros which we bought them right on the spot.




Taken at Disneyland Paris.









The best part of our vacation is our 1 week stay at Bassin du Arcachon. It's a 100 km beach unpopulated and clean. The kids were all crazy about swimming! We climbed Dune de Pyla located on the vicinity of the place. Pyla is said to be Europe's largest dune and the view on the top was just breathtaking!

Otherwise:

• We took a boat from Norway to Hirtshalls inDenmark.


• The kids were crazy and enjoyed the speed we had at Autobahn, I found it rather dangerous than amusing!


• We spent a night in an expensive hotel in Belgium. The day after, we strolled around Brussels and saw the Parliament.


• We ate Curry wurst with french fires in Hamburg.


• We dined at an exepnsive restaurant in Luxembourg.


• Ate ice cream in Netherland. My eldest son said the ice cream he ate was one of the best he ever tasted.
  

We ended up our road trip in Gothenburg, Sweden meeting relatives and friends.

My Volvo got it's free wash from my cousin, who owns a carwash in Gothenburg.

Once upon a time there were shrimps and prawns...

I received a chain letter from one of my friends today warning or rather claiming that shrimps and vitamin C could cause a sudden death. I love shrimps... we just had it last week. My kids are crazy about it and oh, my kids take vitamin c...and lemons, they are supposed to be rich with vitamin c... I always have lemon and shrimps together! I pannicked but managed to googgle :-)

I was quite relieved finding the answer that I wanted to get, which I thought made sense. That the whole thing is a hoax somehow gave me comfort, but I prefer the safer side.... who wouldn't when it comes to the lives of their prescious ones. I don't think that I would give my children vitamin C anymore! Atleast not when we have shrimps or prawns on the menu :-)

However, I decided not to forward the chainletter my friend sent to me.

Lesson for the day: When you're in doubt, google it mate ;-)

The chain letter hoax:

YOU MAY POISON YOURSELF ACCIDENTALLY
Taiwan, a woman suddenly died unexpectedly with signs of bleeding from ears, nose, mounth & eyes. After a preliminary autopsy it was diagnosed death due to arsenic poisoning death. Where did the arsenic come from?

The police launched an in-depth and extensive investigation. A medical school professor was invited to come to solve the case.

The professor carefully looked at the contents from the deceased's stomach, in less than half an hour, the mystery was solved. The professor said: 'The deceased did not commit suicide and neither was she murdered, she died of accidental death due to ignorance!'

Everyone was puzzled, why accidental death? The arsenic is of the U.S. military for carrying rice seedlings H Gao. The professor said: 'The arsenic is produced in the stomach of the deceased.' The deceased used to take 'Vitamin C' everyday, which in itself is not a problem. The problem was that she ate a large portion of shrimp/prawn during dinner. Eating shrimp/prawn is not the problem that's why nothing
happened to her family ever though they took the same shrimp/prawn. However at the same time the deceased also took 'vitamin C', that is where the problem is!

Researchers at the University of Chicago in the United States , found through experiments, food such as soft-shell shrimp/prawn contains a much higher concentration of - five potassium arsenic compounds.

Such fresh food by itself has no toxic effects on the human body! However, in taking 'vitamin C', due to the chemical reaction, the original non-toxic - five potassium arsenic (As anhydride, also known as arsenic oxide, the chemical formula for As205) changed to a three potassium toxic arsenic (ADB arsenic anhydride), also known as arsenic trioxide, a chemical formula (As203), which is commonly known as
arsenic to the public!

Arsenic poisoning have magma role and can cause paralysis to the small blood vessels, "mercapto Jimei"??, inhibits the activity of the liver and fat necrosis change Hepatic Lobules Centre, heart, liver, kidney, intestine congestion, epithelial cell necrosis, telangiectasia. Therefore, a person who dies of arsenic poisoning will shows signs of bleeding from the ears, nose, mouth & eyes..

Therefore; as a precautionary measure,
DO NOT not take shrimp/prawn when taking 'vitamin C'.

After reading this; please do not be stingy. Forward to your friends and family!!

Explanation why the Taiwanese allegedly died having taken shrimp and vitamin C:

1. Shrimp may cause arsenic poisoning not because it was concocted by vitamin c that is found in orange or lemon sauce, for that case, but because it was not properly deveined at the back of the shrimp or the food was taken from the contaminated waterways

2. The vitamin c cannot have a chemical reaction, by the 5 molecule potassium that was found in shrimps, cause by the time it was masticated by mouth, the ptylin, ptylase that is found in saliva, break it down to its simple chemical form, 2nd the caustic hydrochloric acid in the mucousal membrane of the stomach is enough to destroy the simple chemicals in general.

3. In 1990 taiwan water ways was contaminated by arsenic

4. In connection to number 3 arsenic is an insidious chemical, it stay in the body for the longest time embeded in deep skin and nails before the manifestation

5. Taiwan exposure to arsenic contaminated water ways bring out a disease process called Black Foot Disease that was now classified as an endemic case in Taiwan.

Bookworm

My officemate Espen asked me today about what has been keeping me so busy that I haven't written anything on my blog lately. Espen knew well that I've been "poking" on my new book as he is one among my 106 "pages" there today.

To those who know about my blog and visit it regularly, I'll be blogging active again soon. In the mean time, let me finish reading my facebook:-)

Poke

The poke feature allows one user to virtually poke another. Some users believe that the poke feature is some sort of Facebook flirting. However, according to Facebook's FAQ section on the feature, "a poke is a way to interact with your friends on Facebook. When we created the poke, we thought it would be cool to have a feature without any specific purpose. People interpret the poke in many different ways, and we encourage you to come up with your own meanings." In principle, this is intended to be a "nudge" to attract the attention of the other user. However, while many Facebook users, as intended, use the feature to attract attention or say hello,[12] some users[who?]construe it as a sexual advance. There are several applications on Facebook which extend the idea of the poke feature by allowing users to perform other actions to their friends (such as "kick" or "wave to"). People often reciprocate pokes back and forth until one side gives up, an event known as a "Poke War."

1+ 1= zero

"A house divided against itself cannot stand."

Words attributed to Jesus in the Bible.

Quoted by Abraham Lincoln in his 1858 speech.

Happy Mother's day!

I received this text message from one of my friends today:

"Motherhood is a tough 24 hour job: no pay, no day-off, oftentimes unappreciated and yet resignation is impossible!"

Blixternia said:

" Motherhood is a calling: where your deepest gladness meets the world's deepest need"

Dee said:

"My son was born on Mothers Day 35 years ago and i consider him the best gift a mother could ever receive."

Wikipedia said:

"A mother is a biological and/or social female parent of an offspring. Because of the complexity and differences of the social, cultural, and religious definitions and roles, it is challenging to define a mother in a universally accepted definition. "

A rapper said:

" You mother f*****"

Pac man craze

I am not a fan of boxing. I think it's a crazy sport. I wouldn't see or allow somebody beating up somebody….

Youtube has about 280 000 000 watchers a month and I'm one among them. I am a subscriber too. One particular person I subscribe to is Happy Slip. Why? It's simply because I could relate to most of her videos. How she portrays her mom, dad, aunt and cousin amazingly resembles my own family. Well Happy slip posted a video yesterday entitled Pac Man and I watched:

After watching the video I did what most people perhaps would do when curious. I "googleD it on youtube" and came up with thousands of results on Manny Pacquiao better known as the Pac man inside the ring.

I could understand why Pacquiao is so popular now a days… Aside from gaining a title in the world boxing arena, he won cash for 12 million dollars for that may 02 "battle of the east and west" event where he battled against British boxer Ricky Hatton. Pac man won millions of dollars from earlier fights as well…

I am not a fan of boxing. I think it's a crazy sport. I wouldn't see or allow somebody beating up somebody…. not until yesterday.

Think green while working

I found this on youtube today. I thought of dedicating it to the unsung heroes of EDB :-)

Yeah, I know, have to think twice next time I use double disposible cups for my morning cappuccino and afternoon black.

Best regards,

BLIXTERNIA

P Before printing, think about ENVIRONMENTAL responsibility!

Wishful thinking

Giving birth is a gift to every woman.
Giving birth to my 3 kids is something I wouldn't trade for anything else in this world. If giving birth was a choice that both parents: a man and a woman could make, I would have willingly taken the task which I consider is a great honor and privelege despite those 9 months and pain brought about by pregnancy and giving birth.

Menstruation and dysmenorrhea however is something I despise being a woman. I was in great pain yesterday due to my menstrual period. I was at work despite that, and being with all of my officemates who happenned to be all men made me wish I was one of them. Every month, when my period arrives... I wish I am a man!

And the loyalty award goes to...

People born on the sign of Aries can be fiercely loyal.

I am an Arian and I am loyal.

Romeo & Juliet is a Hair Salon located around the vicinity of my workplace and home. I've been their customer for 2 years now. R&J is not the cheapest in town , but why care about the amount of money you pay for vanity? Important thing is I get good service and right haircut and color I asked for. That matters most to me.

Kari is the hairdresser who has cut and dyed my hair first time I was at Romeo & Juliet 2 years ago. Satisfied with the first treatment, everytime I go to there, I would ask for her. She doesn't work full time so I had to be flexible enough to make an appointment for the day that she's available.

Tuesday last week, after work, I drove by to schedule a date for a new haircut and hairdye. A hairdresser approached me and she seemed to know right away what I was up to. She asked my name and search for it on their database. When she found my name, I told her that I wanted the same treatment as the last time, sometime next week.

Wednesday at around 4 o' clock pm is fine, I told her.

That would be great, she responded, but your hairdresser Kari is not woking with us anymore. Mind trying Marianne? I was in a hurry as I had to pick up my kids so I said yes. While she was trying to register the appointment on their computer, I asked her why Kari has stopped working there. Kari started a salon right on her home with her daughter. She handed me a card with my appointment written on it and told me that I would recieve a text message prior to the date. I said goodbye politely and headed to my car.

I couldn't stop thinking about Kari while I was driving. I told my husband about it when we were having dinner that day, and he supported my idea of trying to find Kari on the yellow pages in the internet. I had her name and where she lives (she told me on one of our conversations while cutting or treating my hair) but I don't remember her surname! The next morning I was on gulesider og telefonkatalogen in search for my hairdresser. I followed my instincts and dialed the number that I thought would be her... and Bingo!

Kari was so happy and flattered. Me too, I would get the haircut and hairdye I wanted as usual. But first I have to cancell my appointment with Romeo & Juliet...Ooops, I forgot to do that earlier today.

Birdies are smarties

Normally the garbage truck picks up the garbages where we live on Mondays. Today is Easter Monday and the truck failed to pick up our garbage. Prior to Easter, a yellow sack has been distributed by BIR that can be used if the garbage can could not accomodate one's household garbages during the easter. I remember my husband was in awe when he arrived from his job last week and found the yellow sack. Is this a gift from BIR, what's the occassion? He asked. It's for all the rest of your shit on easter, I replied arrogantly. It's quite typical that men tends to forget important occasions...

My three year old son has pooped this morning on his diapers. It's easter Monday and I'm supposed to be free form work, I thought loudly. Here I am in the toilet washing Sean's butt and birdie free from shit. As if I had a choice. .. After putting on a new diaper and a pair of pants for the little one out I went with those nasty diapers packed in a plastic bag, half asleep. Then I noticed a bird looking at the can overflowing with wastes.

Is this the bird with the bad reputation?

The can is filled out and putting Sean's nasty diaper in the can would mean it would be half open for the bird...Nææ, the tiny bird wouldn't be able to pluck out a bag or two as they weigh quite a lot for his size, I thought. The bird flew away just as I opened the can. I felt releived. The diaper with poop I buried with the other wastes inside a number of plastics in the can, just in case...

I went to the kitchen to make some coffee and thoughts about birdie plucking up on my family's waste kept on bugging me. I had to go out and find a heavy stone to keep the garbage lid's closed, I thought. The coffee wasn't ready yet so, I had to do what I was thinking.

It was 3 minutes ago since I flinged in the poop into the can. 3,75 minutes since I met birdie... To my nightmare when I went out.

Birdie managed to take out a plastic bag full of yesterday's waste and littered near my Volvo!

Orange skins, candy wrappers, table napkins, food left overs everywhere.... I was at rage while litterally picking up all the mess and put them inside the old plastic bag filled with holes after the bird's beaking on it. I put the plastic bag for the second time again, closed the lock and placed a heavy block on the top of the lid of the can... Contented with what I just did, I headed inside our house with a second thought. I turned back and I noticed birdie on one of the branches on the neighbor`s tree... He was looking at me, almost like smiling ironically!

If ony I used that gift from BIR I thought!

The Piano

There are a lot of things I regret not doing when I was younger and one of them is playing the piano well.

My parents sent me to piano lessons when I was 9 years old. My piano teacher was a nun who was working at the Paulinian school I was attending to at the province, way back to the Philippines. I stopped taking lessons after a year for 2 reasons:

1. The nun was so strict
2. My parents wouldn’t want to buy me a piano. (Instead, they bought me a guitar!)

My 14 year old son is taking piano lessons and he became quite good at playing after nearly 2 years. He started playing when he was 12. Ian likes playing the guitar better but I’m trying to motivate him to play the piano instead. He owns an organ, an electric guitar and an acoustic Morgan guitar… but I prefer as a mom that he plays the piano instead. Most parents I assume would relate to the fact that we parents, ought to push our kids to do things that we missed or regret not doing when we were at their age.

Apparently, my husband and I bought an upright piano on november last yeas for around 3,000 USD. He found the piano at Finn’s, which is Norways biggest ”find everything here market on the internet”:

Here’s the link to the add at Finn:

http://www.finn.no/finn/bap/object?finnkode=15439634&sid=xz1cabS5iWB006704&WT.svl=Bilde

The piano can be classified as an antique. It’s around 100 years old but it is still in a perfect condition. A piano expert came to our house to examine the piano and couldn’t believe the price we bought it for. One special thing about this “new” piano of ours is that it has been owned for 3 generations by one of Norways prominent families. Well if you know Ole Bull: one of the greatest violinist and composer of all times, the lady who owned and sold the piano to us is one of Bulls great great grandchildren!

The piano stands proudly at the corner of my living room. That I now own a piano I guess was a dream come true after 24 years. That the piano was owned by the Bull’s was just a bullseye ;-)

Jesus is Swede

I grew up in a Catholic family as most Filipinos are. Although my parents converted to Mormons in the late 80’s. I went back to being a Catholic again before I went to college in the early 90’s. I think that my choice back then has something to do with the fact that most of my friends are Catholics and I went to a Catholic school from kindergarten to high school…and I have to admit, my heart belonged to the Pope :-)

Going to church on sundays and holy days and saying my prayers at night are among those things my parents and my school has taught me to do. & I’m trully greatful about that.

There are about 70 different Ianguages in the Philippines. Tagalog and English are my native country’s national languages. Ian was 2 years old when he learned how to talk and I felt obliged as a parent to teach him how to pray as early as possible. During the evenings before he jumped into his bed, he would hold his little hands together and pray:

Dear Jesus, please bless my mama and me. Amen.

Ian and I moved to Sweden from the Philippines 10 years ago. He was 4 years old then and he’s 14 years old now. Naturally as a parent, I prepared Ian’s young mind into moving to another country. I told him everything I know and read about Sweden. I remember him very excited about moving after hearing a lot of stories about Scandinavia. I remember telling him about how different people look like from us. I explained to him that most people are fairer in the skin and they speak a different language there. We would not understand the language, but we would learn how to speak it in no time. Both of us would go to school to learn Swedish. The more information i tried to relay to him, the more questions I got back from him, too. Kids are by nature very curious about everything around them, especially that age. Furthermore, I remember him asking why he couldn’t take along his playmates with us. I told him that there are a lot of kids in Gothenburg and he would be allowed to play with them as much as he wanted to. And then came his question about how he would communicate with other kids when they do not know how to speak Tagalog. I remember that he answered his own question:

I would learn the Swedes to speak Tagalog, mama!

I have a bunch of relatives in Sweden and I consider it a great privelage for me and Ian that my family lives there. It wasn’t very hard getting along with our new environment, people nor the language. During our first 2 weeks in Gothenburg, we were just visitng everyone we know. It was summer in Sweden when we got there. During this season most people are mainly outdoors barbecuing, playing in parks or swimming in beaches until late in the evenings. Days are longer and nights are shorter here up North during the summer. 9 o’ clock in the evening and the sun is still up! Since we were “new in town” and I felt that Ian needed to get acquainted with his new environment, I allowed him to play in the neighborhood along with his cousins and other Swedish kids until late in the evening as long as it wasn’t dark. He would be so exhausted that he would fall into sleep on my lap while I would be chatting with friends and relatives.

One ordinary evening without all those visits and the chaos brought about with it, I asked Ian why he stopped saying his prayers since we arrived in Sweden. He replied with his eyebrows crossed:

Mama, the Swedish God doesn’t understand English and Tagalog!