I am not exactly feeling well for the past two days. I have the stomach bug and the frequent trips to the bathroom is making me weak. So I thought of listing down thirteen things that would lighten up my gloomy days…

These are some laugh lines from a collection of one of my favorite magazines (Reader’s Digest):

1. Two lawyers set up a partnership and agree to divide all earnings equally. On their first day in business, a man comes in for a simple contract. “That will be $100,” says one of the partners. The client hands over the cash, but unknown to him, there are two bills stuck together. The lawyer is confronted with his first ethical dilemma: Should he share the moeny with his partner?- contributed by Barney Brucker

2. Still groggy from an operation, the patient was in an agitated state. “Nurse,” he moaned, “I heard the surgeon use a four-letter word, and it caused me great distress.” “What did the surgeon say? asked the nurse.

                            “Oops.”- contributed by Richard Padwell

3. A drunk walked into a lounge. After staring at a beautiful woman who was sitting at the bar for ten minutes, he sauntered over to her and kissed her on the mouth. She jumped up and slapped him hard. “I’m sorry,” he said. “I thought you were my wife. You look like her.” “Ugh. Get away from me you worthless, insufferable, no-good drunk!” she yelled. “Wow,” he said. “you even sound like her.”- contributed by Nick Mcconnachie

4. “Pour me a double whiskey, I’ve just had an argument with my wife,” Mike tells Charlie the bartender. “Oh, yeah?” says Charlie. “Who won?” “Put it like this,” says Mike. “When it was all said and done, she came crawling to me on her hands and knees.” “Really?” says Charlie. “What did she say?” ” ‘ Come out from under the bed you snivel ling little coward.’ “- contributed by Regina Lally

5. While reviewing future, past and present tense with my Year Nine English class, I posed the question, ” ‘I am beautiful’ is what tense?” One student answered. “Past tense.”- contributed by Reema Rahat

6. Eleven people- ten men and one woman- were clinging to a rope hanging down from a helicopter. They decided one person had to let go or they would all die. The woman gave a touching speech about how she would give up her life to save the others because females were used to making sacrifices for their husbands and children and not receiving anything in return. When she finished speaking, all the men clapped.- contributed by William Boyle

7. I went in to a pet shop and said, “Can I buy a goldfish?” “Do you want an aquarium?” sand the man. “I don’t care what star sign it is,” I said. “Just give me the fish.”- contributed by Stuart Collinson

8. A male and female driver are involved in a horrific collision. Amazingly, they escape unhurt. As they crawl from the wreckage, the man notices that the woman is attractive. She turns to him and gushes, “We shouldn’t have survived that. Maybe it’s a sign that we’re meant to be together.” “And look,” she continues. “Though my car was destroyed, this bottle of wine is intact. It’s another sign. Let’s drink to our love!” “OK!” says the man, going with the moment. He drinks half the bottle and hands it back, “Your turn.” “No, thanks,” says the woman. “I think I’ll just wait for the police.”- Anonymous

9. A famous director goes to heaven. “God has the perfect project for you,” St. Peter says. “No,” says the director. “I just want to rest.” “But you’d have a dream crew. Mozart has signed on to write the score. Michelangelo will design the sets, and Shakespeare is hard at work on the screenplay.” “Wow. How can I say no to that? I’m in.” “There’s just one thing,” St. Peter says. “Goad has this buddy who thinks he can act…”- Anonymous

10. These test answers from students beg the question: Are teachers paid too little or too much?

Q: What was the Phoenicians’ gift to the world? A: Phoenician Blinds

Q: What is a mammogram? A: That’s when people get their initials on a towel.

Q: Who is the author of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof? A: Dr. Seuss.

- contributed by Pauline Mann, Merle Marsh, Patricia Ryan-Curry, Carol Schott

11. I asked my husband if he wanted to renew our vows. He got so excited- he thought they’d expired.- Rita Rudner

12. Did you hear about the man who went into a book shop and asked where the self-help section was? The sales assistant wouldn’t help him. She said it would be defeating the purpose.- Simon Finkelstein

13. How do you convince a troublemaker not to smoke in airplane restrooms? One attendant on my flight found a way. “Anyone caught smoking in the lavatory,” she announced over the intercom, “will be asked to step outside.”- Terri Willis

View other Thursday Thirteen Participants Here

My favorite sister (we would joke that I will be her only favorite sister and she as mine), will be coming home from an 18 months volunteer service this second week of November. I’m excited to see her and chat until the wee hours of the morning! (which would be impossible now because Danielle can’t sleep without me beside her)… It’s amazing how time flies by so quickly. We were once small kids running around the neighborhood, then teenagers- although I was older by 4 years- to young adults who love to splurge on food. As my only flesh and blood sister, thinking of her brings good memories.. I remembered too the theme song I copied for her- which I would like to borrow too for Danielle. You’ll Be in My Heart by Phil Collins has always struck a chord in my heart. I love the lyrics. Simple but profound. So, I’m posting the lyrics- which I hope you will enjoy too:

You’ll Be In My Heart
From “Tarzan”
words and music by Phil Collins

Come stop your crying
It will be all right
Just take my hand
Hold it tight
I will protect you
From all around you
I will be here
Don’t you cry

For one so small
You seem so strong
My arms will hold you
Keep you safe and warm
This bond between us
Can’t be broken
I will be here don’t you cry

‘Cause you’ll be in my heart
Yes, you’ll be in my heart
From this day on
Now and forever more
You’ll be in my heart
No matter what they say
You’ll be here in my heart in my
heart always
Always

Here’s my shot to Thursday Thirteen! Inspired from Grace of Sandier Pasture, I will be participating in Thursday 13 every week. Since I’ve done a quite long list about myself at the beginning of this blog; I thought of starting with a list of my 13 favorite books:

1. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

– I absolutely adore this Christmas tale of how a miser like Ebenezer Scrooge could turn in to “a jolly good fellow” in the end.

2. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

- I did cry the first time I read the book. Very profound, well written and a good reminder to never let go of our dreams and pursue the things that feed the heart.

3. Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom

- I also cried on this one. Makes us remember the essential things in life and how to cherish relationships with our loved ones.

4. The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey

- Great principles to live by.

5. To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee

- While there are a number of issues tackled in this novel, I particularly like how the kids in the story were raised by their father. When I read the story some years ago, I reflected that if I will have children, I want them to be as open and as questioning of the world around them just like Scout and Atticus.

6. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

- For a children’s book, it amazes me how it could contain a lot of moral lessons too for adults. Timeless.

7. Bata, Bata, Paano ka Ginawa by Lualhati Bautista

- I’ll not dare translate the title to English but this book has been awarded a Palanca Award for literature. Highly philosophical book that focuses on how a mother fought for her dignity, ideology and mostly- for her children.

8. The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

- Another classic children’s book that has moral lessons not only for young people but for the young at heart too.

9. The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran

- Full of wisdom, this book is a good guide on everyday living.

10. The Christmas Box by Richard Paul Evans

- Sometime ago, I saw a t.v. telecast of The Christmas Box and was really touched by the heartwarming story. I grabbed a copy of the book- and reread it. Very beautiful message about families.

11. Timepiece by Richard Paul Evans

- Another touching story about family values by Richard Paul Evans. Loved this book too!

12. The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery
- I like this bestselling novel too. A lot of lessons for living.

13. Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach
- We were in High school when the English teacher of my younger brother asked them to read this book. I borrowed it and got hooked on the amazing tale of Jonathan Livingston Seagull. Beautifully written with a lot of wisdom.

Now, it’s your turn!…What are your favorite books?

One of the blog site that I visit often is marketmanila because most entries are all about food… There was one entry there about writing your Christmas Food Wishes for Christmas 2008.

So here goes my wishlist for this Christmas and wishfully thinking that they are all laden with 0 calories!:

1. Extra juicy and tender roasted native chicken with honey or calamansi and soysauce dip

2. Bagnet (still have to taste one)-it’s a native delicacy in Northern Luzon. Cooked almost like Crispy Pata (crispy leg of a pig preboiled with herbs and spices until very tender then deep fried and served sizzling hot)

3. Bicol Express (made from alamang- tiny salted shrimps, coconut milk, little pork, gabi leaves and plenty of small chili)

4. Pancit molo soup (a native delicacy from Ilo-Ilo and Bacolod)

5. Lasagna! (hope its top layer would be really rich and creamy)

6. Cookie monster chocolate cake

7. Devil’s cake (still have to taste one- heard so much wicked raves about it!)

8. The dark chocolates of South America

9. Extra tender Pochero (beef tenderloin boiled for 2 to 3 hours the old way with vegetables)

10. four season vegetable with oyster sauce

In the Philippines, one could hear Christmas carols played in the malls, in public transportations, Carinderias (small food stalls), restaurants, on television- and virtually all places as early September (!). Once the “ber” months roll in, you would instantly expect DJs in radio stations to start digging their Christmas DVDs or CDs and play them on air or overhear really audible Christmas carols from the neighborhood. And to top it off, some households begin decorating their houses with Christmas decors and colorful lights intertwining their roofs, door, balcony, trees, gates as early as October. And oh, not to forget the neighborhood kids who sing Christmas carols as soon as November sets in (right after Halloween)- while waiting for you to come out and give them either goodies or money.

I love Christmas. Especially when the colder air in the evenings brings a welcome respite from the humid air in this tropical country. People also are gentler during Christmas time. But, I would love to celebrate it on December. Not on September, or October- or simultaneous with Halloween! While I really like to listen to Christmas carols, hear beloved Christmas stories, Reminisce the Nativity, Celebrate the Savior’s birth- I would be very happy if at this time of the month I cannot (not yet) hear Christmas carols. While I see nothing wrong with celebrating Christmas this early; personally, I feel the anticipation for that Christmas morning is gone after the marathon celebration from September to December…Don’t you think we are celebrating the season quite early?

But then, I don’t think the Savior ( the reason why we celebrate Christmas) would mind.

Earlier this evening, we went to a mall to buy some groceries and to shoot some huge masks on display at the mall’s entrance. There were only 6 masks left on display- around 2 to 5 meters high- made by some high school students and adults. The exhibit/contest was sponsored by a local tv station in the area in preparation for the grand Masskara festivity next week. We  showed the masks to Danielle. She just timidly pointed at them!

I got this from grace (sandier pastures) and would like to try it too. So here it is:

Who was your bestfriend?

I had many best friends in high school who remained to be my close friends more than 15 years later! We still update each other with the latest happenings and write, chat and visit. We were the happy group. Carefree, laughing at the corniest joke.

What kind of car did you drive?

Only 17 years olds in our country can drive under a student license. We usually finish high school at 16. I don’t have a car when I turned 17 too! (laughs)

It’s Friday night. Where were you?

Either watching a movie or at home watching late night documentaries

Were you considered a flirt?

Nope.

Were you in the band, orchestra or choir?

I was the pianist in the school choir.

Were you a nerd?

I belonged to a Science high school but we were not nerds. We were loud, ordinary kids who love to climb hills and eat fruits from a deserted orchard.. Our quiet city has yet to be invaded by malls and traffic then.

Who was your favorite teacher?

The English teacher Grace mentioned was really a good teacher, then our moderator/teacher- who was our math teacher and adviser.

What was your school mascot?

We have none.

Did you go to the prom?

Oh yes, I did! Our Physical Education final grade was based on the prom. No one asked me out to the prom. It wasn’t cut up to be that way. We were paired according to height. Unfortunately, I was the last in line and the senior boys was one person short by number. So- you guess it, I was paired with a classmate who, like me, was an “extra” body in the line.

Did you go to school with anyone who is now famous?

I have a classmate who became city councilor. I have a schoolmate who is (still) with the U.P. Madrigal singers- one of the best in the world.

Did you have a job your senior year?

I taught private piano lessons

Did you go to a senior trip?

Yes, I did. Grace and I are classmates in high school. We went to the same high school trip in a nearby city.

Have you gone to a class reunion?

Every December, most of my classmates who now live abroad would come home. We see to it that we see each other and catch up!

I can never get enough of my daughter’s smile! It always brightens my day and wipes away any weariness of the day. “Ngumiti ka lang, at ako’y nasa langit na” (just smile, and I’m in heaven) is one phrase I like in a local pop song. It has added meaning now that I have my own daughter who momentarily leaves her toys, looks up at me- and then flash that sweet smile… And I pause and thank God for moments like this- priceless!

You can feel the festivity in the air by just driving around the “City of Smiles” that is Bacolod City. Held every October 19 ( or third week of October), ‘masskara’ or mass of smiles festival draw tourists from all over the Philippines and other countries as well. Often pulsating with vibrant colors, gaiety dancers and smiling masks, this festival colorfully displays Bacolenos warmth, smile and hospitality…

This would be my first time to witness this almost 30 years festival. I’m quite excited to take pictures of all the colorful masks crafted from paper (paper Mache) to be paraded under the heat of the sun by dancing Bacolenos next week. And for a start, I’m posting here pictures of Paper Mache masks hanging on the walls of the restaurant where we had dinner last friday.

Last Friday night, me, Danielle and Joseph went out to dinner with an old Friend- Riki. We met each other in Manila 5 years ago when we became classmates in a graduate program. We bonded when papers we turned in for one of our modular class ended up with almost identical titles! No- we weren’t plagiarizing each other’s work, but more like telepathy I think. So, we became partners during our practicum in a non-government organization, in paperworks and remained as good friends after the program has ended. Every time I would be in Manila for a seminar, we would see each other and simply catch up… When he contacted me a few days ago that he would be visiting my place for some work, I was just excited to see him and show him (for the first time) my daughter. We might see each other again at the end of this month when Joseph and I, with Danielle in tow, will go to Manila for a short business visit… I am writing about him because he will be leaving soon for Canada… (Yes, another story added to the Filipino diaspora- something that I’ve been seriously contemplating on joining too).

Here’s a picture of Danielle and me with Ricky (we couldn’t bring danielle to smile in front of the camera this time)

Another picture of me and Danielle (and with Joseph):