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March 25, 2003 - I just finished posting pictures of Edalynn's debut. Two days of scanning. My neck aches.
Coming soon...pictures of the Devera cousins at Disneyland.
January 25, 2003 - Finally -- more pictures. Joy got her film developed yesterday, and I've been scanning and arranging for the past couple of hours.
December 4, 2002 - I added a new page of photos. These are from the Dingle Circle International induction dinner at the Pechanga Resort & Casino. Click here to view them.
October 21, 2002 - I've added some new pictures of Joy in London. Click here to view them. I've been updating my journal everyday, so I hope you keep reading it for all the latest.
October 2, 2002 - Joy sent me pictures of her in London. View them at the Photo Gallery or by clicking here. I've started an online journal at http://www.ujournal.org If you'd like to see it, please click on the link below. I'll also add a link to Grace's journal.
September 14, 2002 - I updated the photo gallery with lots of pictures. The most recent links are always placed at the top.
September 13, 2002 - Dad got a call from Joy saying that she arrived safe.
September 12, 2002 - My sister has up and gone to London, where she'll be staying till December. I miss her already. I expect her to come back looking great and sounding all British.
September 11, 2002 - It doesn't feel like it's been a year since the 9/11 tragedy. I didn't really want to see all the tributes and stuff on TV. It was just an ordinary day.
September 9, 2002 - We just got back from our weekend in Las Vegas. The trip was to celebrate Joy's 21st birthday. She gambled and drank for the first time. During the course of this trip, Joy and I each got carded about five times. Every time Joy was carded, she ended up receiving a "Happy Birthday" greeting.
On Saturday, we got a room at the Stratosphere and worked the slot machines on the first floor. The next day, we went casino-hopping -- from O'Shea's to The Flamingo to Bally's to Paris and then back again.
The highlight of our trip was seeing The Chippendales. We were in a room full of wild women cheering on these buff guys stripping down to....nothing. It was pretty crazy, but we were loving every minute of it. Joy nearly fell over when she was catching a torn undershirt that one of the guys threw. We both received hugs during the show, not to mention afterwards when we paid to have Polaroids taken with the dancers. See the pictures here.
September 3, 2002 - Kumon had a "Back to School" pizza party. All the kids were happy to celebrate the fact that they weren't assigned any classwork for today. I would've liked to have taken pictures but I'm out of film.
Is American Idol showing in the Philippines? I've only gotten interested in the show during the last ten episodes or so. In case you have no idea what it is, it's basically like a Star Search reality show and viewers call in to vote for their favorites. Winner gets a record deal. Tonight, I was so determined that Kelly should win that I spent a solid half hour with the cordless phone in one hand and my cell phone in the other, hitting redial buttons over and over. I think I managed to log in about 25 to 30 votes. If Justin wins, I'll be very disappointed. I admit he has charisma. However, in terms of talent, there's no competition.
September 2, 2002 - Labor Day. I spent it laboring -- grocery shooping with Mom and Joy (the labor is putting away 12 2-liter bottles of Coke, Sprite, etc.), and washing the cars. Also, the adults had a little mahjongg party. We kids just tried to stay cool by eating Nestle Drumsticks and munching on ice cubes.
August 24, 2002 - First, this morning, I had to attend my Sign Language class. I can tell it's going to be one of the most interesting classes I've ever taken. I've always liked foreign language classes (I've already taken French, German, and Spanish -- I never really got the hang of Filipino). We're starting off with fingerspelling (this I learned when I was 9) and some simple signs. We were also taught the signs for the first verse of Louis Armstrong's "What a Wonderful World."
I picked up my cousin Vincent and then went home, where almost everyone was already waiting to eat. We picked up half a dozen pizzas from Pizza Hut and some palabok from Manila Sunrise for lunch. I was a bit worried that I'd ordered too much and that we'd be eating pizza every day for the next week. Fortunately, the day is almost over and only three-quarters of a pizza is left.
After lunch, we kids headed over to Mulligan. First we played a miniature golf. Vanessa was the champion -- at most of the holes, she would sink the ball in two or three strokes. At one point, Jay hit the ball so hard it shot back to where it started. When he tried again, the ball practically leapt for the hole, went around the rim twice, dropped in, bounced up, and finally settled inside.
What was supposed to be an attempt to make me feel young again backfired. I felt like the mommy, keeping the scorecard, and handing out money for snacks and tokens for games. It's okay, though, because I ended up with the biggest prize -- a souvenir plastic cup which can use to hold my late-night drinks, especially during these hot summer nights. I tend to get thirsty just before going to sleep.
We went back home where the guys invited a couple of friends for a game of football in the street. The funniest part had to be when Jay kicked the football -- the football went one way and his shoe went another.
To cap off the day, Edalynn treated us to ice cream from Baskin Robbins. Thanks, Dal!
August 22, 2002 - I found a parking space! For the first time this week, I was on time for my class! Bravo to me! Unfortunately, the space was still in that lot two blocks away from the main campus. When I bought all my textbooks at the bookstore, I had to lug two heavy bags back to the car. My arms are aching now.
After work, I had dinner with my Kumon co-workers at a Thai restaurant. It was a combined birthday celebration since there were three of with August birthdays. I have to admit, it was a little weird to hang out with everyone outside the workplace. In Kumon, we usually converse about a student's progress or the solution to a math problem. I'm glad we had that dinner, though. It's a deviation from the normal routine.
August 21, 2002 - Happy birthday to me.....lalalalala....
The main celebration will be on Saturday. Lunch at home (pizza!) and probably a trip to Mulligan for skee ball, go-carts, mini golf, and video games. Today, however, meant lunch at Hometown Buffet and shopping at the mall.
Mom's gift to me was a pair of shoes I need for my P.E. class (Walking). Joy got me the video of When Harry Met Sally. Auntie Bebot and Jpe gave me a photo fram and the means to buy phone cards. I gave myself three romance books, a bookmark, a wallet, and a pair of black leather Mudd shoes (on sale at half off).
To those who sent me greetings and cards, thanks a bunch. :-)
August 19, 2002 - School's started. Two main things about the first week of school: 1.) You're always dismissed early after you're given the syllabus for each classl; and 2.) parking is utter hell. It's hard enough to wake up in the morning to make it in time for class without having to drive around in endless circles looking for a damn space.
At least I got my new ATM card. It's nice to back in funds.
August 14, 2002 - We got our new dining set! It looks beautiful! It's nice and large so that we can all sit at the table at once if we choose to. We can also make it smaller by taking a leaf out. Problem is, we have no place to put the old set. Our family room is crowded with the two tables and all the chairs. Gotta do something about it tomorrow.
Remember I had my accounts frozen because I'd lost my wallet? Well, my ATM card is now useless because of that. I have to wait for a new one to arrive in the mail. Which means I have to borrow from the Bank of Joy if ever there's an emergency. In the meantime, I guess it's a good thing that I'm forced to not spend money.
Joy asked me what I want for my birthday. I told her she can make a contribution to the "Ann wants to visit Ferdie" fund. I wonder if I can convince the rest of the family to make contributions.
August 13, 2002 - I couldn't find my wallet this morning. I swear, I was freaking out, searching all over the house, the car, my room.... The last place I'd remembered seeing it was at the bowling alley. I called, but no luck. I was so worried about my driver's license, my ATM/credit card, my IDs..... I called the bank to freeze my accounts, and then I was planning to have Mom drive me to the DMV tomorrow to get another license. Joy walked with me to work. Don't worry -- it's all good -- because I found my wallet!!!!! It was on the shelf I use to hold my bag at Kumon. My wallet must have fallen out of my bag. Whew!
August 11, 2002 - I just got back from bowling with Edalynn, Jay, Jay's brother, Elton, Jpe, Robert, and Joy. After paying for the shoe rentals, it was just 25 cents per game. We played six games all together. I was getting better after a while. I made a total of two strikes and two spares. Damn, am I going to hurt tomorrow.
Joy and I later went out shopping. I bought diskettes at Staples, a double quarter pounder with cheese at McDonald's, and a black blouse at Susie's $5 Deals.
August 10, 2002 - Today was Auntie Bebot's birthday. We weren't here most of the day, though, because we were at Manang Sheila's housewarming party.
The house is really nice. It's very close to what I want my future house to be. The first floor was a little too crampedfor my taste, but the second floor was really nice. Three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a big walk-in closet, simple yet tasteful furnishings. A priest came over to bless the house (the whole sprinkling of the holy water thing) before we could start having lunch. We ate, watched TV, and played with our two-year-old niece Natnat. She is sooooo cute. LOL, Raquel even took a bow, acknowledging her part in bringing Natnat in this world. She'll be having another baby several months from now. Anyways, the best way to keep Natnat entertained was to let her watch this screensaver that had fish swimming across the screen. Big fish would eat little fish and swordfish would pop blowfish -- all with matching sound effects. We also tried to teach Natnat to say "Marko gwapo" but it didn't catch on.
Natnat wanted to go swimming. We walked with her to the recreation center. There's a nice clean pool, a wading pool, and even a jacuzzi. I wish I'd brought my suit. If only Manang Sheila had said something.
After the pool, Joy and I hung out at the playground for a while. I took a nap on the bench -- I was so worn out from all the laughing and trying to keep up with Natnat. Maybe I was also feeling the effects of the spiked punch.
When it was around 7 or 8pm, Annie, Mark, etc. wanted to come over and meet Jpe. All of them except Mark had met Jpe before. Vincent's always alling Jpe "PJ" -- he just can't get it right. It's easier for Vince to call him "the Canadian." We made a stopover at Baskin Robbins to buy Auntie Bebot an ice cream cake (her favorite, Pralines N Cream).
Straightaway, we went back to Manang Sheila's. We thought we'd go out to watch a movie, but then we decided to save our money and watch a DVD instead. After arguing over the merits of Lord of The Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Others, Rat Race, and so on, we ended up watching John Q. A little predictable, but very dramatic. Joy and I were talking about John Q on our way home. It's sad to know that we are the only First World country that does not provide universal health care for its citizens.
August 9, 2002 - Dave sent me new pictures of Letlet, which are now posted on "their" page.
More furniture shopping today. Mom wanted a cabinet to display her china, but after going to four stores, we didn't find a thing. Of course, there were some nice pieces (some which made me fantasize about decorating my future house), but none that looked just right.
The parents played mahjongg again tonight. Meanwhile, we kids headed over to the bowling alley, but we couldn't start playing until 10pm. When we called to inform the parental units of this, we were told to come straight home. And I was so looking forward to bowling too....
August 7, 2002 - We had dentist appointments this afternoon. I only had to have my teeth cleaned. No cavities, thank you very much!
Afterwards, we went furniture-shopping again. We found some nice dining sets at Wickes and finally settled on one. It'll be delivered next week. We may even get a new couch for the family room since the old one is all beat-up and lumpy and sags in the middle.
August 6, 2002 - Work was surprisingly slow today. Tuesdays are usually the busiest days. But for once I was able to just sit and read. I finished Bridge to Terabithia and Alice in Wonderland.
August 5, 2002 - Happy birthday, Mom!
We spent the morning window shopping for new dining chairs at the mall. We saw some nice pieces, but nothing that was right for us.
I then had to go to work, but I was able to leave early enough so I could go back home before leaving for Grand China Buffet with the rest of the family. We all ate till we felt like we were going to burst. "Happy Birthday" started playing over the loudspeaker and a waiter brought Mom a little cake with a candle.
Mom now has two large bouquets of flowers and a box of truffles. Joy and I gave her a Norman Rockwell snowglobe of the scene called "Puppy Love" and it plays the song "Let Me Call You Sweetheart."
Pictures to be posted at a later date.
August 4, 2002 - We attended a party in North Hollywood. It was the death anniversary of my godsister's grandfather. As you can imagine, it was typical of Filipino gatherings -- plenty of food including dinuguan, lechon, and puto. There were a lot of people who I felt I should know, but I didn't. The parents were going around making connection like, "I was the classmate of your sister's friend's brother. No wait -- your cousin's sister's classmate was married to the aunt of my godmother." LOL.
There was a Mass celebrated in the backyard by a couple of priests from Iloilo. If I heard right, one of them was the brother of the late Archbishop Alberto Piamonte.
Now I'm back home. Everyone's downstairs. The adults are in the garage playing mahjongg while the kids are crowded around the PlayStation. I think I'll go join them and share in the ice cream. Later!
August 3, 2002 - This is the day I made this new site public. (Reminder to self: add a link on the old site.)
I realize it's been more than a month since my last update. I've been busy with other things, but I have time on my hands now.
I've completed my Sociology summer class. I expect my grade card in the mail any day now. I'm hoping for a B, though I'll settle for a C. The class was very interesting, despite my difficulty in getting up at seven every morning. We watched several documentaries about topics I never would discovered on my own, such as the "Genie" project, the Baka tribe, the East L.A. strike, and the civil rights movement of the 60s.
Work has been going on as usual. Things will probably change later this month, when kids start coming back from vacations or join Kumon for the first time in order to get a head start on school.
Today was a day of chores -- I washed the 4Runner and painted the fence (to protect it from weather/rust). My back's killing me.
By the way, the last movie I saw was Austin Powers in Goldmember. Watch it if you haven't yet -- it's really funny.
That's it for now. More tomorrow.
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