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In a Relationship
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Sunday, 07 February 2010 |
Carlos is not a tea-drinker. But everytime I am with him, I ask him to have tea with me. I honestly appreciate the few minutes we spend time together drinking tea, chatting.
Many times he'd tell me how he hates tea, with a sharp contortion of his face, expressive of pain, contempt, or disgust. But he'd finish his cup anyway. And he's even stopped asking why I like it (and I like having it with him) after I promised I'd show him the research (and that of the Bee Pollen) that I did over a year ago.
And he's now gotten used to us, having tea together. Funny.
I was at his place one time when I filled in the pot with water and waited for it to boil. When he heard the pot whistling, he went to the stove and turned it off. I was watching him. He opened the cupboard, took out two cups, and walked to another cupboard to get the box of green tea. I was laughing because I did not ask him to do anything but there he was, doing all that stuff. That time, I did not put the water to boil for our tea. I just want to boil some water and warm it a little for me to drink because I wasn't feeling well. Well, he said it has become "automatic" and the whistling of the teapot is his hint that it's our tea-time.
He'd still say with a grimace that he hates tea; but still, we'd finish our cup of tea together. Sweet. He is. I am not sure if he knows that but he will.
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Some-Kinda-Blog-Stop
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Sunday, 07 February 2010 |
 M & J have finally bought their first house. I was given my first tour on Friday (I was wondering how they could use copper tiles in the kitchen or in the bathroom). I liked how the attic was transformed into two rooms. And the basement is a nice one, too.
Anyhow, I was eager to give a hand so with my 3 layers of pants, 6 layers of tops, an old pair of rubber shoes (for backyard working), a head gear, a hood, and as God painted the surroundings white with snow a few days ago, I painted the house white. Well, I helped on just some parts of it. We just did some re-touch (real painting job may start on the third week of February).
I can't wait to witness how they'd transform the house to a wonderful "home". I am sure it will be fun-filled. So, let me be the first one to say, God bless your new home, M& J!
***
Lunch was served at Grandma's place, where Miss M, as she always does, had prepared a wonderful meal (chili con carne and green salad). Sir H joined us in the afternoon with Freddie giving Sheba a day full of excitement, too. Then late at night, M cooked his version of oyster chowder soup. Splendid!
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My Health and Fitness Log
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Tuesday, 02 February 2010 |
I was never really sick here at Uncle Sam's. True! But a few weeks ago, after my set of job interviews I started having a runny nose. On Thursday last week, the night we watched the NY Knicks play against the Toronto Raptors at the Madison Square Garden and a day before my supposed-to-be departure to the west, my throat started aching. That night I started coughing, dry. On Friday, I decided, I should take something for my cough-- Mucinex DM. I promised myself I'd write it down because I have a hard time remembering it. It's good. Throat and chest are still aching whenever I cough but the medicine is doing its wonders. But for some reason, my runny nose is back. *ugh*
I am resting.
I receive an email today that says:
Sorry for the delay I am requesting a time with D for me to talk to him this week so we can discuss the waiting period of you getting hired in B Bank. This way I can tell him that you have plans of going to the WEST coast.
At least I am getting an update. I hope I am well soon. There's a $100-worth task waiting to be done. God is good. Always.
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In a Relationship
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Monday, 01 February 2010 |
"9 masses together, that's how I wanted a guy to court me."
I remember telling it to Carlos in one of our phone conversations in May or June of 2009.
In October 2009, he started the pursuit but I didn't feel like getting in to any relationship yet. Sure, I could be there whenever I feel like it. But to commit myself into something? No, I wasn't ready for that. There's just too many things happening (and waiting to happen) that I cannot see myself committing to someone just yet. I cannot slow down nor I could be slowed down. But sure, I was yearning for love. So I prayed for love to happen. My prayer was a set but the answer came one by one. One, I asked for someone. He came, and so I said, "If you want me, pray. Ask God for my hand. Ask me from God." And he did. I know he did. Two, I asked God for someone who could pray with me. Carlos knows my routine at night. I have my ME-time (fixing myself, getting ready for bed) and I have to end my day with a prayer. Now he's doing it at the same time that I am doing it. We call it our Threesome (God, Carlos, and I) before we call each other and say our goodnights. Three, I asked God for wisdom to know when to move on to the courtship or not. The day came in December that I knew I was all right. I gave him my go signal. 9 masses together. After that we'll see. Either we grow together or we grow apart. Let God work on us.
It wasn't easy on his part. He works six or seven days a week. His day would start as early as 6:30 in the morning and most of the time would end at 8 in the evening. He'd sometimes travel for 2 hours just to get to Manhattan. Seldom are the days that he could leave early. But he was there when he said he would on days that we could both catch the last mass, in the church where he first brought me to-- the Church of St. Francis of Assisi in Midtown Manhattan.
It wasn't really a good news for him when I started planning on my trip to the west coast. But he knew it was a long-time plan and he's seen how excited I was to travel. Knowing the possibility of me, not returning, he kept his silence. With faith, he gave me his full support. Then came my interviews a week before my travel. I was advised by my sponsor not to leave on the 29th of January.
Yesterday, the 31st of January 2010, together with his older brother, Carlos and I have completed our 9 masses together. And guess what the reading is? It's from the book 1 Corinthians 13:1-13.
1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give away all I have, and if I deliver my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. 4 Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; 5 it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never ends; as for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For our knowledge is imperfect and our prophecy is imperfect; 10 but when the perfect comes, the imperfect will pass away. 11 When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became a man, I gave up childish ways. 12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall understand fully, even as I have been fully understood. 13 So faith, hope, love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
We're two imperfect souls, but we have a Perfect God. We have anchored our faith in Him. And wherever this will lead us to, whatever we'd end up, we have faith, that it is for our own good and for God's greater glory. That is what WE believe in.
My only prayer now is that after the ninth mass, may there be more. May our faith grow more as we walk together with God in our midst, always. Then I believe, we will grow better, together.
May God guide us all in our prayers.
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Some-Kinda-Blog-Stop
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Monday, 01 February 2010 |
St. Francis of Assisi, Midtown Manhattan, New York. The first time Barney and I met, some time in June of 2009, he brought me to this church. She must have been there before-- the old lady in red coat and red head cover. She must be in her late 80s or maybe early 90s now (I wonder about mortgage life insurance).
Late in November, I have frequented the church and then and there I noticed her. She's always the first one to greet you when you enter the upper chapel. Her smile is so sweet that I always wish I could hug her, somehow that thought gives me confidence that everything is going to be all right. She was at the lower chapel, too, sitting in one corner holding her rosary, while I was crying my heart out.
It wasn't in our plan but the church of St. Francis of Assisi has become the church where Barney and I run to every time we have a chance-- to visit or to hear mass together now. And she's there. Constantly giving everyone that welcoming smile. And she was there when we have finally completed our 9 masses in January 31, 2010.
Now I can't get her out of my mind. It's funny but I have seen that same sweet smile in Grandma before. I really want to hug her. One day, I'll say hi.
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Some-Kinda-Blog-Stop
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Monday, 01 February 2010 |
This year has a few good surprises and blessings so far. Well at least I am expecting they will continue to pour in this first quarter. To name a few, there's a couple who has finally able to purchase their own house (I can imagine Minka Aire products everywhere now); couple brought a little angel into this world; a dear friend will finally get her US citizenship soon; parents have been brought to the US; a possible job for a friend (and me!); my youngest brother, passing the Nursing board exam; and a lot more.
I was talking to Barney a while ago and I told him that I was wondering what happened in January. People who have jobs, like him, we know that they all had to work (he works 6-7 days a week). Me? I was a bum for more than a month now. So what did I do, I asked.
It was only when he reminded me, one by one, the things I did, the people I have visited, the places where I have been to, the tasks I have done, the events that I have seen, that I realized, my January wasn't that bad at all.
On January 29, 2010, I was supposed to take the Amtrak train to Ohio but was advised to put it on hold. All my life I have been dreaming for that Amtrak ride. I have tried all the mode of transport in New York and New Jersey now -- PATH train, Subways, Metro-North Train, NJ Transit, etc.-- except for the Amtrak and the AirTrain.
(AirTrain JFK is a 3-line, 8.1-statute mile (13 km) people mover system or automated people mover (APM). Yup! No drivers, conductors, whatsoever, like the ones being used in some Disneyland tour/rides).
Waiting is frustrating. So instead of taking the Amtrak on Friday, Barney gave me a tour to JFK International Airport, via AirTrain. If you can just imagine how happy I was during the whole "trip". We hopped from one terminal to another. I was grinning all throughout the ride. Now all I have in my wish list is that Amtrak train ride.
It's good to have someone who'd support you no matter how shallow or absurd your dream is.
And my wish to see the happy bee was granted, too, this January.
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Some-Kinda-Blog-Stop
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Monday, 01 February 2010 |
Barney showed me his farm in Farmville. I asked him why his field looks funny and irregular-- the blocks of land are not aligned-- he said he thought he could set it up like the floor tiles (now, he regrets doing it like that, he has to re-do the whole field). Give him some time, he's a beginner. *hah-hah!*
Yup, another one is bitten by the Farmville bug and after putting myself in a rehab, I am back farming again (I have opened more than a hundred gifts from my Farmville neighbors the past week! Thank You! I now have a baby elephant! *LoL!). I am not planting again though. I am getting rid of the field little by little. I have no time to plant seeds (I am currently trying to read a few books that I have purchased from Barnes & Noble in preparation for a job) but yes, I am farming again. So send me some gifts, will you? I prefer chickens this time. *wink*
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Some-Kinda-Blog-Stop
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Tuesday, 26 January 2010 |
FYI for those who are expecting me to leave for the other coast: my sponsor has advised me not to book my flight or buy my train ticket yet. Am I putting my travel plans on hold again? We'll see how things are, the next couple of days (yup, definitely I will not be bothering someone with their appointments with their Plano dentist).
As I told the Es, one definite thing will happen this week--I will be moving out. And I have two definite places to go-- I will either be moving in to my own rented place in Jersey City or moving in some place in the west.
I know I have put my journey to the west on hold for over a year (there were choices and decisions to make), but I do believe it is all going to happen. All in God's time. All in God's plan.
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Some-Kinda-Blog-Stop
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Thursday, 21 January 2010 |
... at times.
My journey to the other coast should start on the 29th. I wanted everything in its place before I leave, so I had a plan...
I am set to leave on the 29th of January via Amtrak in New York Pennsylvania Station. Barney is off from work and has arranged to send me off. My luggage is ready and is all ready in New York. I am just waiting for that time and doing some tasks then I am off.
First stop, Ohio. I am visiting a friend and will be staying with her for 3 days. I heard that her mom has already asked some days off, too, from work, and is even hoping that I could stay until the 3rd of February so I can attend a church activity that they will be having. At the same time, if the weather permits, my friend and I could visit Illinois, too, which I learned is just a few hour-drive from their place.
My second stop, is only a wish-- Texas, to visit my cousin, a high school friend, and some other friends. But that is, when I get lucky in getting a cheaper fare; if not, from Ohio I am heading straight to Utah. Then I am pretty sure, we'll go to Nevada, and finally, California.
Then here comes the bend on the road. Two weeks before the departure, a call came and I was told that I was set for some interviews (of course not to sell textbooks or do some stuff that I wasn't trained for). Now I am speechless. I can only pray that the anticipation doesn't kill me. *hehe*
So, what's the plan, Pareng G?
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Some-Kinda-Blog-Stop
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Wednesday, 20 January 2010 |
So there I was, when someone was worrying about her adult acne, I was worrying about being girlish for my interview. I don't wear suits but this time I had to (and I have to). I wore a pant suit last night and my shoes gave me blisters less than an hour of walking in Manhattan that I had to run to Manhattan Mall to buy a pair of cheap black walking shoes before I see blood oozing on my feet (thank God, I found one that will fit in my bag).
I actually have three sets of interviews. The first interview was via phone. The guy gave us then the go signal to go to the next level. The second interview was supposed to be a lunch meeting. We ended up having dinner at the O'Donnell's bar/resto in New Jersey-- just a Path-train ride away from Manhattan. I was fetched at Exchange Place by Sir N. We both headed straight to the bar to wait. We had chicken wings and some carrot sticks. He had two bottles of beer, I had one (Sir N was thinking maybe that will help me speak more when asked).
At seven, the banker came. They ordered a bottle of red wine then we went down to business. After that, we ordered our food. I had vegetable lasagna, which was so good.
"Okay, let's put business behind now, let's enjoy our dinner," was my cue.
So, that's what they call a social interview, eh? It was informal. It was cool. The place was nice and the food was great. The conversation was all right except that I know I was being observed. And even if I was aware of that, still, I was being myself-- not talking much on interviews. And not even a bottle of beer could loosen me up, not even that of the red wine. I know I have to work on marketing myself. I have the skills, the problem is, I can't sell myself. I know. I know. We'll see how the third interview goes (this time, a more formal one and with the manager). All I know is I have to review some more. I haven't touched a PC for a long time already. What more of the Excel, MS Access, and SQL Server databases? Now, that is scary. Really scary.
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Some-Kinda-Blog-Stop
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Wednesday, 20 January 2010 |
I got back from my dinner-slash-social-interview a little past 11 last night (thanks to the subways/trains) with Sir N and Sir D (the banker). Yup. I had to be in a suit last night for that and now I have blisters on my feet! *Argh!* I hope my feet will be well soon before my next job interview (which I hope will be soon too so I can finalize my travel-plans). And I hope I feel better soon-- it could be a cold-virus that I caught last night or could be my immune system going down. I am not sick.
Ok, I am still in denial that I am sick. Since I got here, I was never sick. No coughs, no colds. Never. But when I woke up this morning, my throat was hurting and something was oozing from my nose (ewww!). The gargling helped my throat, but what about my nose? I don't want to take any medicine. Not yet. But I know what could help. Hot green tea and some rest (but I should be reviewing). Anyhow, as long as there is no fever, I am good.
Let my friend worry about her hormonal acne, let me worry about my runny nose. Which is better, eh?
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Some-Kinda-Blog-Stop
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Wednesday, 20 January 2010 |
I know novenas are supposed to be prayed for nine days. I pray mine more than nine. If prayers are like vitamins that we could take everyday, my prayers are not just like prenatal multivitamins that one should take for just a certain time. Prayers should be like multivitamins. Me? As much as possible, I do it everyday. And I am doing it for more than two or three years already. More than nine days, more than 365 days. Imagine how much blessings I have received the past two or three years. Imagine how many prayers have been answered, how many moms had happy, healthy, and safe pregnancies (as a matter of fact, one of my inaanak will celebrate her first birthday soon, and I am a godmother of another one). Now I only have two people in my baby-list. I have faith that it will be granted soon. Every prayer will be answered. Don't get me wrong. I don't pray only because I need something. But prayer itself is a need.
Adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication. The ACTS format that Mrs. E in my elementary days have taught us. I still remember that. And the PUSH (Pray Until Something Happens) that I learned, through the years, works well.
I am not perfect. I have my flaws, I have my weaknesses. That's one of the many reasons why I pray. And I thank God for every scenario that brings me down to my knees, whether it's a call for help or thanksgiving. Every Amen is music to my ear.
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Some-Kinda-Blog-Stop
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Monday, 18 January 2010 |
I should be reviewing right now. I have a set of interviews this week and I should be refreshing my mind. But I read from a friend's wall that she's getting high BPs and a high cholesterol level again. I am worried. Is there really a treatment for high cholesterol? Being in the early 30s, we shouldn't be getting such alarm. Or is it the time? I wonder. Is it really because of the age or is it just because we have just changed our lifestyles? We were once active in sports. Now, most of us had to choose between getting enough rest and getting enough exercise. I never thought balancing things could be that hard. Not, especially when you're in I.T.. I dreaded those days when we had to work 48 hours, sometimes more, with no sleep just to make a system run. At the end of which, our own systems were the one giving in. But that's the way it is and I need to pursue on going back to that wagon again.
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My Health and Fitness Log
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Monday, 18 January 2010 |
Yay! The Neutrogena facial wash was my hero! I am now bouncing that my skin has finally stopped breaking out and that I don't need to try and test any other blackhead treatment. Some says it was stress that has caused the break out. Maybe. Could be.
Another thing that I was worried about for the past whole year was getting flakes during the cold seasons, which, again, I was able to deal with Neutrogena Daily-Control T-Gel.
Things in the past. I hope not only for now.
A healthy skin and scalp to one and all! 
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Some-Kinda-Blog-Stop
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Thursday, 14 January 2010 |
 Luggage. Check (thanks to Barney for helping me out on this). Toiletries. Incomplete (remind me not to worry about getting some acne home remedies). Address book. Check. Gadgets. Check. Toe socks. Check. Clothes. Check. Underwears. Of course! Sleepwear. Check. Thermal suits. Check. Ooppss... it's almost always snowing in Utah! Check again! Snow boots. Uh-ohh. Should I bring both?
 In addition to my luggage, I received a Cleo and Patek bag and a red "burping" purse *wink* from Sir H with the sweetest card I have ever received (the card is a photo of his, around the age that Grandma has told me a story about).
Yup. I still have to do my check list on the people I have to have dinner with before leaving this coast. Some in Connecticut and a lot in New York. I don't want to miss a thing. Because... who knows?!
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Some-Kinda-Blog-Stop
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Thursday, 14 January 2010 |
I helped my friend look for a cheaper car insurance. Ok, who am I kidding? What do I know about getting some insurance? Much more in getting a good deal on car insurance, eh?! Well, at least we can Google it! Hah!
Anyways (that is the word I was looking for), I haven't been much of a help in the past weeks. I am too busy getting my stuff from one house to another and packing my needed stuff for my planned travel to the west. At least the baggage that I have to bring is in one place in New York now. All I need to do is get on that Amtrak train. Yay!
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Some-Kinda-Blog-Stop
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Saturday, 09 January 2010 |
The fitness equipment in the basement was waving at me while I was trying to figure out what's wrong with the Swift Mailer script (apparently there's a browser-compliance issue). But no, I have no time to do some work out here in NJ as I am packing all my stuff in one luggage so when I need something someday and I am away, I could just ask someone to ship it to wherever I am. I like that term, wherever. Yeah. Whatever, I am just trying to finish some things and then I'll be off again. Creative juice is dry. I miss New York and the convenience of it.
I received a call from Utah today. I could have their TLC until March. I am grabbing that opportunity.
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Some-Kinda-Blog-Stop
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Saturday, 09 January 2010 |
I love office supplies and saw one office furniture that I would love to have someday in my own place and space. Yeah. I am so used to working from home (done that for over seven years! Heaven!). But since I am still unsettled and I don't have my own space to dress up yet, I would usually think it over a thousand times before purchasing something that I know will give me a hard time letting go when the packing time comes. So far I have a hole puncher, a stapler and a nice pair of scissors to decide on whether to bring them with me or not (hah!). Well, that is just in case I am leaving for good. If that is the case, I am leaving them to someone who doesn't have a hole puncher, a stapler, and a nice pair of scissors. *hehe*
Ahh. I should always be reminded to simplify life as a whole. I don't like excess baggage. Not even when I get to own my space. If I forget, please remind me.
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Some-Kinda-Blog-Stop
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Thursday, 31 December 2009 |
It is snow!
Yay! I knew it was going to snow today (even if there is a 24 hour towing, careful on the road, people!) but I did not expect a white surrounding so soon. Or maybe I was just late in getting up this morning, eh?
I love snow. I love walking on it. I love the sound it makes, crushed ice under my feet, whenever I make my step. The problem is, my snow boots are still in CT, together with my rubber shoes (both the regular one and the gum-soled). It's a good thing that I have already pulled out my things in Queens (but I have to go back there for their keys, I still have it). Now I have to collect my stuffs from Brooklyn and Long Island. Did I ever mention before that I dislike packing and unpacking? Argh! I wonder where my next stop is. Maybe somewhere snowy, still...
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Some-Kinda-Blog-Stop
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Thursday, 31 December 2009 |
"Are you driving now?" I was asked. They hoped I am not. Because, one, I don't have my own car (no car insurance, too, of course!) two, I am not yet insured, and three, have you seen me driving that SUV one night? I was mocked by my passenger and I don't blame 'em. Need I say more? *wink*
Anyways... I was busy working on the WDi pages today, hoping we could launch it before I go offline for a few days again. It's exciting, actually. The company was just a blueprint before. How time flies.
I have worked on two tasks today, as well. Fresh start. I wish I could say that.
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I am Mae German. 32 years old. Born in Mangatarem, province of Pangasinan. I was taught and trained by Juan Dela Cruz, and I am currently being trained for more by Uncle Sam. Writing since the age of 12. Blogging since 2001. I keep a notebook and a pen in my bag, on my bedside table, and inside the bathroom. Misses a lot. Sometimes even my own voice. Loves to laugh. Sometimes even at myself. I am a work in progress. My ultimate dream is to be a SAHM. That is, if I am bound to have that chance in this lifetime... and I am.
