The Tricycle and Filipino Living

Tricycles, honda, motor or whatever we call the tricycle it is a means of transportation to some villages, towns and cities in the Philippines. In our province trikes is part of my waking morning aside from the "potpot" of the pandesal vendor and croaking roosters. You can also see trikes with kids in the morning and afternoon as their service.

For some families this can also be the source of their living. In our place the trike fare cost 25php, I think it's 3 kilometers from the highway terminal to our place.

Open Communication in a Relationship

I have been lurking around into different fil-west forums and reading different stories is fun yet there are times that it will make you think both negative and positive. Interracial relationship has a lot of things to consider, culture, open communication, traits and a lot of adjustments. I do not sound to be negative but there are some "pinay" who think that marrying a foreigner is their only way to lift up their living or sometimes there are other reasons but I do believe in love of course no matter how far apart you are if love knocks on your heart you can't control it.

Being in a long distance relationship (LDR) it is very important to have an open communication and do not expect the pedestal of your relationship. There are some cases that when a "pinay" moved to other country their life becomes miserable simply because there is lack of communication between them. While you are in a relationship you need to talk and plan about the changes and status when you move to the other country or even when you are married. First and foremost, what are the things needed to be done and do not marry someone because of "bahala na" or reasons of getting out of your country, for me that is a BIG NO NO! Your marriage will end into failure if that is the case. Think a thousand time if you are ready to commit in a relationship and mature enough to handle the marital status.

Thank You Shareen for Your Thoughts

I would like to express my gratitute to my friend Shareen for her thought to send me some abubot and filipino products. I do appreciate it a lot my dear friend. Yep! She is going to send me pinoy products thanks a bunch! I can't wait to receive them.

Filipinos in Foreign Land

Watching the TFC last night made me teary eyed good thing that hubby shake me to translate it in English so he can catch up. Wowowee in NJ was bombarded with lots of audiences from different cities in NJ and nearby states. Our favorite part of the show is the Willie of Fortune where 6 players have to compete to each other. Each player has different stories but what caught my attention the most is the player originally from bicol region.

She was lucky that someone helped her to get here in the US and she has to work for them as a maid and pay all the expenses they paid for her visa that took her 5 years to pay off. Simply, because she wants to give her family a better life and finish her youngest daughter’s schooling. She got sick and couldn’t work and being alone in the country is very hard for her but still her heart is pure to think about her family back home on how she can help them.

I am proud of Filipino values that no matter how hard life is we are willing to help when our “kababayan” need help from us. Studio audiences contributed some amount to help her. See even in the US Filipinos are also having a hard life needless to say the homesickness that they have to get through with. What made me cry more is that Willie has a big heart to help her brother have his operation.

What Makes You Happy?

Did you ever ask yourself what makes you happy? For sure there are many things that make everyone happy depending on the person's view of happiness. In life do you find happiness in money? Yes money can buy every material things you wanted to have but are you happy? I mean happiness from your inner self? I believe money is a great factor but it can't buy the real happiness you are looking for. What about those little thing around you?

Hubby and I where talking about what are the things that make us happy one time and we both laugh in the end because there are things that we may think are not important but those make us happy. When I make burnt pancakes or french toast in the morning that makes him happy. When I heard the garage open and he's coming I open the door with the dog and that makes him happy. When I say weird things and made him laugh out hard, am sure that makes him happy. When he ask me to dress up so we can go shopping absolutely it makes me happy. When he got me something from his trip that also makes me happy. When he sings lullaby before I sleep that makes me happy and a lot more on the list that makes us both happy.

Life is too short, it's not about money but those little thing that makes you both happy. We may lack of bucks but we are full of love and happiness that's matters most.

Hibiscus or Gumamela

Have you ever played "lutu-lutuan" when you were a child? I took this picture at the Double Tree Suites pool side and reminded me of my childhood. We used to make this as cooking oil when playing. We squeezed it on the water to become slippery.

Nowadays, I do not see many kids playing with it as the kids now are more addicted to computer games and other hi-tech games. I will still love to see kids playing and digging soil so they can really feel that they have been once a kid.

Fireflies for the First Time Here

While walking around 6pm in the forest park with my Luna there are some lights flashing around the trees. I was scared at first since it’s getting darker and the rain is slightly dropping. As we get closer I figured out they are firefly, my first time to see fireflies here.

We hang out for a moment and did not mind the tiny raindrops and watch the lights from those fireflies. I used to see them only in the province and every now and then in Pampanga.

Welcome To Durham NC

Excellent flight to Raleigh, NC today we are now in the hotel relaxing and recharging some energy for tonights dinner party. At any moment my MIL and Popsie are coming to meet us. We can't wait to see them and splash in the inviting pool facing to our balcony.

I will be off for 2 days in blogging maybe so bear with me guys will return your visit as soon as I can.

Tricents Samples Super!

Today I am so excited to open the box from TriScents for my samples based on the opportunity I grabbed recently. I am lucky to have it and tried it right away and see what's the effect if it will freshen up our living room. The kit has 3 scents and all you have to do is follow the instructions then plug the kit. The light transfers to the scent automatically after 45 minutes.

This is exactly what I'm looking for! Superb! You will smell the scent right after getting in the door. The red light indicates which scents is evaporating for 45 minutes then after that it will switch to the next scent.

Tupig A Source of Living Too

Who among you loves to eat "tupig" (variety of rice cake) from Northern Luzon. When someone goes to Baguio or Pangasinan the only thing I ask from them is to get me "tupig" on their way back home. I love it! I was curious before what was it when my friend in college brought me some when she went home to her province in Ilocos.

This might be a source of living for others who are able to send their children to school. The last time I bought some of these it's 5 pieces for 10 pesos and you will love it when it's still warm. If I'm not mistaken they also serve it during festivals, Christmas and New Year. Tupig is made of ground rice, sugar, young coconut strips wrapped and rolled in banana leaves then grilled them. Few years ago, towns in NL competed for the longest "tupig" to be recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records.

Pamper Yourself

Pampering yourself is one of my routine back home after I received my paycheck and still have enough for personal care I ask my friend Ruthie to go to salon have our hair done or our nails, spa, facial etc. etc... Our favorite place is Going Straight in Greenbelt and next to it is Let’s Face It which I think are sister companies.

Also one time, I felt like I want my eye lashes curl up why? Because I’m lazy to use lash curler everyday so I asked the sisters if they want to try it for only 300 pesos. Hahaha I influenced them and the three of us went to the salon and had our eyelashes done. It’s great for 3 months I did not touch my eyelash curler.

I don’t want to spoil myself with these things here first, expensive and I am not comfortable with the person who will do it as when I went to an expensive salon for my hair done wahh in just a week I can see the natural again.

Thank You American Consumer Opinion

I am touch when I received their email with a little greeting on it. I am a member of ACO to take surveys that they email. Among all the memberships I joined to they are the only one who sent me a simple thought. Thank you so much though am not participating too much when I did not try the product at least they sent me greeting.

Classes Under The Tree

Hubby has a constant visitor in his blog from the Philippines and he's been wondering why their pictures are always on the floor. They were high school students and he enjoy watching their pictures and he suddenly utter, they must come from a small province their pictures are always on the floor. Lol!!

Yeah, I've experienced this too at least they are on the floor while in our class before we are under the tree for almost a year. That was during the Mt. Pinatubo eruption and our classrooms were used as evacuation center. I know how hard it is not to have enough facilities while studying as it limits your learning too. That was the hardest part of our high school life but having a class under the tree was fun too, as you can turn your head anywhere you want and feel the breeze of the air.

Acceptance To Move On

I know how hard it is to get over with a broken relationship especially when you are attached to the person so much and your world revolved to him/her while the two of you are together. It is very easy to say forget that person when your heart holding you back. I wish I can help my friend to get over with her broken relationship. I know how hard it is for her to forget him.

But sometimes if the destiny play on you it's hard to fight with it but the good thing is if the two of you are really destined for each other then no matter how many years you've been separated in time you will meet again with the same feelings. Meanwhile, to move on all you need to do is accept the fact that you wont be together again so that you can move on. It's hard but time will heal.

Coffee Break Here

I'm already in bed but was thinking of having a cup of decaf while talking to my hubby on the phone. We were both chasing and did not catch the big fish waving. The website is also loading slow so it adds to the frustration but we can't do anything about it so better wait and be patient. I am off now upstairs to get my decaf and cookies for a break. Midnight snack before going to bed.

MIssing Time

Today I have the missing time thing, I wont say it is homesick but I am only missing the Philippines. When I chat with Ruthie and finally I felt better after we chatted. She at least made me feel better and we were talking about different things. Our shopping time that she misses the most too because she has no more shopping buddy now.

The Magic of Pampers!

This is sooooo funnyyy!!! Watching the Willie of Fortune in Wowowee where the players are housemaids married to drivers. I admire these ladies who are working decently for their living.

On the question and answer portion they were ask what is "diaper in Tagalog" that even myself had a moment to think about it. The other player press her button quickly and said PAMPERS! Hahhahahha! That's actually a brand but the answer is "lampin".

Customer Support Online/Phone

I have noticed about the customer support we are receiving either online or through phone. My previous jobs were customer service based and being one of them I know what I deserve to get as a customer. I’m sure am not alone on this situation and many of you are having the same issues when it comes to customer support.

E-mail Support – most supports that you can get through email is a TEMPLATE BASED! Yes! True a template which the agent doesn’t even answer what the concern is all about and your questions are being left behind. THE TEMPLATE WORKS BEST for them! But hey, I worked as an e-mail support and proud to say that I am an ASSET to the company I worked for because I make sure that the template I am replying to the customer are not purely template but making sure to response to every question they have on the email. Hope email support agents will read through and response accordingly to the issues. The funny thing sometimes is, they answer you WAY OUT of YOUR ISSUE.

Phone Support – whew, have you encountered talking to an agent who doesn’t know what he is talking about? Giving you different answers that drive you crazy! In this case I will surely ask for the supervisor! Or the worst is if an agent PUT YOU ON HOLD FOR AGES!!!! In the end give you still unsatisfying answer. But of course this is not always the issue if I am happy with the customer service I received I will surely appreciate it. For sure you know what I am talking about especially those who work as a customer service.

Turning Others Down

A couple days ago I had an exchange thought with this girl who is commenting bad words about a celebrity in PI. Reading her comments really makes my eyes sore as if she is perfect turning the actress down and trying to compare to the actress that they are admiring. I can't help myself but response to her comments and she really freak out.

She even called me names and when I returned her those words she never replied she leave a message in my profile. Hahhaha!!! She is so funny, when I told her words that I know will let her think and look at herself first she never replied to my comments anymore. My point is, don't judge others if you do not know them well as you do no know that you are nothing compare to them.

My Little Black Dress

You will never go wrong with a little black dress. In black you will look slim and great for formal parties or gatherings. This is me when I wear black, am trying on this dress when I and Ruthie went for shopping and we found them. Since that's the only one left at the store I let her have it. It's so classy and you'll look sexy wearing it.

Well anyway, I was thinking what to wear tomorrow for our dinner date and of course I want to wear a happy color dress and maybe my new one. While sitting here was thinking if I wear a black dress how would it reflects my personality? check below:

What Your Little Black Dress Says About You

You are chic, worldly, and charming. You naturally fascinating and popular. You never feel like pretending to be someone you're not. Your style is simple, flattering, and always appropriate. You fill your closet with well quality, timeless items. If you were a shoe, you would be: Open toed heels

The Little Black Dress Test