A Day at the Movies!!

In the SM Gaisano City Mall there is a cinema. 

We went first for some shopping, a snack at Inasal and than a movie!  What a treat!  Movie is Johnny Depp in Pirates of the Caribbean, on Stranger Tides.

While were in the ticket booth they are handed us 3-D glasses, so when we entering the theater previews were underway and we found a seat in the dark. I saw my b/f wearing his 3-D glasses and I didn't know that glasses use to watch movies!  I thought it is a souvenir - simply glasses - then my b/f ask me where's are mine?  I told him it's in the bag,  he told me to get and wear it.

I did, at first I didn't know what is the difference.  It was about 3 minutes after I started to wear them that realized ....OHHH!! MY GOD!!!

It is really wonderful. It seems so real. It seems that I was in the action!  I feel that in the climax and fighting scenes it was breath taking!  My mouth almost hung open!  I don't know if my b/f saw me or what my reactions were. Wearing a 3-D glasses, when Johnny Depp pointed his sword at his enemy I could almost feel the tip of it on my nose already!  M heart beat fast - I thought he already hit me!

So it is really a movie worth paying premium for the 3-D version. We went home and I was still very amazed. Movie was funny and the experience was incredible. The tittle of the movie "Pirates of the Caribbean"on stranger tides..

We pick up school supplies for my girls, even new shoes.  But, I remember the movie!

 

Thanks for read my blog!  BB

Silly looking!! BUT Amazing!

One time.. NOT forgotten...

One bright morning, June 28, 2010, when I woke up I felt so inspired and thankful for everything because it is my birthday and my kids surprised me by greeting me "HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAMA"

That was very touching because they knew it was my birthday and they gave me flowers.

I went to the market and bought a live chicken, I killed and cooked and we ate. Fun! Well.. maybe not fun for Mr. Chicken, but for us something special for breakfast!  And I bought a one liter bottle of coca cola.  That's all I could do for treat to my kids, but they are happy and I am happy too.

Like so many years ago, I did not forget to go church and pray and light a candle. I prayed to give thanks for the things He has done for me and for my health. He gave me good health and He did not make me derelict or crippled. He gave me good and patient children and He understand our situation. I ask too more blessings to come in our life and tahnk for someone I have now - my b.f who is helping me much.

After I lit my candle I went home and continue at works in the home, then went off to work at the factory. My co-workers did not know it's my birthday but my friends and neighbors here they know and they great me too on my way by to go to the job. I don't have enough to treat to them but they understand. One of my friends, she treats me to a little snack with my other friends too. I thank her and am touched.

That was my all I have for my birthday last year.. but it was a good year, and I am so thankful. 

We see what happens for birthday in 2011!

Unforgetable... but parents forget.

One morning on June 28, 1982 it is my very wonderful day but it is wonderful for me only because no one else cares.

Its my Birthday. My parents were fighting because my papa got home at four a.m. from the bar. In the morning I am cooking rice and my mama went early to the village well to wash our clothes. That is why my brother, one year old, the youngest of us, cried when he can not see my mama close. I know that when my mama hears her crying boy she will shout at me, and say that I must take care my brother so that she can finish her washing.

While my mama is washing clothes I am sitting on the wood porch in front of her with my brother on my lap. I have finished cooking rice but we just can not eat yet because my mama has to finish the washing first.

When she's done, that is the time we can eat our breakfast. After eating I wash the dishes and go to my friend, ask her to go to church to light a candle. That is our tradition as Catholics.

When my mama cannot see me around, she shout and she want me to go home and spank and pinch me. Mama is so cruel to me, she said to me that I must be home every morning, I am not allowed to step outside or even go to church for a little prayer with my play mate. As Mom told me that I begged her please but she said no. She made me weep.

Afternoon 3 pm - almost all day wanting and waiting, the sun has almost set for my birthday, my friend Juditha and I go to church. I borrow 1 Peso money from her, so that i can buy candle, so Juditha, my best friend she pitied me for the cruelty of my mother and maybe for my the cruelty of my life, she handed me that one peso.

She said, "it is yours - don't pay me back that is only a little present for your very Special day", She greeted me and we hugged each other,  I didn't know why but that time my tears were falling down. When were in church I gave thanks that even the hardship I encounter everyday I am still have good health. Even my parents forget my birthday, it is ok for me. The important thing is that I am in good health.

When I get home from the church all is the same as usual.  I do my work at home and when the night comes no one remembers that it has been my Birthday. No one remembers the day I first see life and sun, that the day marks my 12 years of existing, of heartaches, and pains and being an older sister.

I don't have birthday party.

So now, years later, that is why when my kids have a birthday party even I don't have enough money I let them realize and know that I am their mom trying to make a living and trying to make their birthdays soo happy and special. As long as I can, I at least give them Hugs and kisses.

That is my unforgettable day. Since when I was young I have never had the experiencing of having a party on my birthday. At my age now I am happy and thanking GOD so much that I have experienced how to loved and am loved by the people around me. Thank you very much.

All I can give to my kids is my strongest affection and love. That's all, but they know I give it freely and remember what is special to them.

Awards!

One night after we chat my b/f send me an email address of a store in Cagayan de Oro to find something sexy. So, the next day I went to the city to find the address but... I couldn't find it.  So, we went to the mall to buy some dress for my girls. A nice formal for Llana, and a costume for Pammi in dance class, and another little outfit. I realize Llana is a very pretty young woman and help her choose dress that is good for her look but conservative.

They both received awards at school and had presentations. Llana is second academic grade in her year. Pammi is also in top of class and is honors student. My b/f also gave me some money to buy gifts for my kids for school awards, so I think is ok with him.  Maybe he is disappointed I not find sexy thing he wanted. He is good hearted but from distance is hard to keep interest and satisfy like I want to.  Have Pammi and Llana with me in city so maybe not best trip to find that store.

Sadly, the ceremonies are both on the same day. Make for hard day. I got confused about who is first and went to the wrong school. I found my youngest, left her, went to see other daughter in high school, and came back to first school but the ceremony was over.  Her principal had given her honors ribbon. I was disappoint to miss it.  Now school is over for a few months.  No expenses until first week of May when enrollment and classes open.

Then I have to pay entrance and for notebooks, papers, ball point pens, bags, shoes, socks. More.

I hope my boyfriend helps. My salary at the factory is not enough for these needs. I hope he understands.

<3

Dance class performs... new outfit!

Life on Cannery Row....

I  leave in my house at 1:30 pm and have to ride a trisikad to go town then transfer to jeep to go in the city to my job at the cannery. The trisikad has street priority in daytime, so is faster and easy to get to mains streets where I can catch jeepney. Give php15 (us$.035) to trisikad driver. Today it is Milan - who is registered with proper ID from government. He is engine, and driver for triskid. Takes 2-3 people. Usually just short trip to main street.  At street I catch jeepney (b/f says) this is only in Philippines. Made from jeep to carry many people on benches in back. Very colorful, so driver can get passengers attention. Jeepney from my town to Cagayan de Oro cost php25. (us$0.60). Is quick trip to factory.  Today crowded - many people - but I get seat. 

Before we go in to the plant, I read the sign at the gate. On a post "NO ID,NO SHOES NO ENTRY".   Important for discipline to look like employee, not squatter, so I arrive in uniform. White tee-shirt, jeans, have gloves, have hairnet and apron, have mask. Company and employees both serious about doing clean work with food product.

We are serious while we work. Begin 1:30pm, snack break at 6:00pm. My job is in finishing product. Is already to put in can when comes to me, I sometimes pick out eyes of pineapple - imperfections - I pickup pineapples (always use sterile gloves) and plop! into can. Pass on to machine that puts top on and seals. There are more than twenty of us who do this job. Hundreds of cans in an hour. Today I read advertisement. They need more people.

Desired qualifications -
Very Good scholastic records
Strong leadership skills
Team spirit
Above average skills in written and oral communication
Ability to work under pressure
Willing to undergo rigid training

So.. I am proud of job - we put this product on market and grocery shelves around the world. In America, in Europe, in Asia, Africa. Satisfying to make sweet treat but healthy for people everywhere. Job not pay so well, but is satisfying. To me at least. 

At snack time..its 6:00pm I will hide maybe today, I have only a candy mint for lunch, but my friend there Lilly, she gives me some of her lunch for free.  I'm shy about that, but when I have salary on pay-day, I sometimes give her free snacks too.  At the lunch time my coworkers always joking. We smile and laugh after lunch its quiet again, we are all back at jobs.  Rest of day goes quickly, back to work at 6:30pm, home at 8:30pm. I earn about php125 (us$3) for the day, after I pay jeepney and trisikad drivers both to work and back home.

This is our product - before is ripe - in the field.

And after work I am so excited to go home. No truancy for me!  It is good. Factory supervisor lets me choose own hours so I have mornings to do details and get Llana and Pammi to school, and they can stay at my sister's house on their way home. Straight home for me on jeepney and trisikad. Because of my kids and of course to talk again to my b/f on net. 

I am comfortable in my life, working at company and caring for my kids. Get support and inspiration from my b/f...  I look no further. It is enough for me..

This is day of factory worker in Misamis Oriental.

<3

The daughters I love...

Every morning I do the same work at home, make breakfast and look after and take care of my kids. Breakfast is rice, fried eggs, milk, hotdogs.  When they go to school, I maybe chat with boyfriend for a while, then I go to work at the pineapple canning factory.

Llana and Pammi - they are good students in school and at home they are always well behaved for me. I love my kids very much. They are my life. That is why I work hard for them. When they come home from school they do their projects and home work assignment before they going to sleep. School is serious here and all parents hope is way to better life for children.

Llana likes desert foods. My girl has a sweet tooth like her mother did! She likes to dress. I forget she is teenage girl now. Nice blouses, skinny jeans, sandals with heels. She is popular and has many friends at school and at home in our neighborhood. Most of her attention is on her studies. At school her favorite subject is English but she does well in all her subjects and does school activities after classes. Taekwondo and badminton, and is a dancer too. She is always winning in dance contest in her school. Music? She likes love songs and of course, worship songs from our church.

Little sister Pammi is always trying to keep up! She likes spaghetti salads but we can only in this kind of foods when have occasions here like birthdays. In school, her favorite subject is also English. She likes sexy clothes because she likes to be in pageants. She always goes. She won the 3rd runner up award last time she entered! Like her sister, Pammi is popular and has many friends at school and home. I am concerned, she needs more attention to her studies. I try to keep her concentrating and focused. She likes dancing too and she is in drum and bugle band. She would like to have a bicycle, but she doesn't know how to drive. Sometimes she's a performer. Singing, but no microphone, only a stick of softbroom. She like lovesongs and worship songs from our church. My boyfriend says Filipina like love songs too much. But is easy to get nice feeling from song. Maybe nice feeling in life comes along too. I hope for my girls.

They both have a good gradings on their report cards and have received awards in every grading periods. They are very involved in the school activities. I worry that their teacher may send me a notice for their tuition payments and school fees. I am afraid of interrupting their education by not enough money to pay.

Catholicism is important here in Philippines and I want my girls understand role of God and church in life. We pray to give thanks before we eat and after eating.  Then we pray before we leave our home. We pray before sleep and on waking.  Llana has not yet confirmation only recollection last March 15, 2010 and Pammi is only 9, but has first communion last February 2010. Both to go catechism and catholic class.

I am glad I meet my new b/f and he is willing to help. He sends enough for school, and so my kids can eat nutritious foods. I pay fees, buy milk and vitamins with his money. This little security has brought me comfortable now in life. The blessings we have now is enough for me and I am happy when I see my kids happy and healthy.

This is a big thing for me.

I love my daughters. Llana will read and giggle to hear about herself, but she knows this true and is from my heart.

I am proud of both my girls.

<3


Last report card -

With all my heart...

When my husband left me I fell into deep depression and at first I decided that I don't want to let my kids go to school. In other words, I want them to stop their studies. But, I thought it over many times and I really know and feel deeply that I should not ruin my kids' futures because of my misfortune. So even as a single mom I strive to encourage them to pursue their studies. Bless my sister, she bought them notebooks. They had gone to school without any bags, which when I thought about it I cried and it hurt me as a mother to see my kids going to school without a good dress and no slippers or shoes.

All mothers were children once and know how children can be cruel. My big concern is their school fees and their school uniforms - and the others. I fear that the other children will criticize them. The other children know that my kids' mother washed neighbor's clothes to earn money for their needs. But, even that is not enough, because I could only wash two times a week, so I also got work at the fruit canning company. Still my salary is not enough for our daily needs.

Really, that's why I decided to join my internet café friends. Karen and Carol and I go to the café everyday before I go to work. Maybe you read in my story about "Café Betrayal" that I met a guy who pitied me and helped me for my kids needs he sent me $25 a week, until one of my café friends found out and snatched him away. This was heartbreaking for me. He was nice to me, but it was my children's school and lunch and uniforms that she took. Not just internet chat boyfriend. That is why it hurt me so.

For months I didn't know who going to help me with my kids studies. I fell behind. But now I am lucky - have new b/f who has helped, but he wants me to tell stories so people can understand my life here in Misamis Oriental, for people who do not have land or money.

This is the story of my life on the way back. I hope I can continue, not for me really but mostly for my kids' future. Somehow new b/f and blog makes my world more colorful.  A little help with school fees and other necessities of life is what I need. People think internet café life is for fun and flirting and for camera play and playful tease. But for me is not.

My girls study hard at school. They know the cost to me. "A" students. I send report card to my new b/f, and I am proud. So is he. I am thankful for help, with all my heart.

<3

Café betrayal.

One day when I was home alone in my house my friends Karan and Susan asked if I would go to an internet café with them. There are many café here and it is a popular social scene with my friends. .

I went with them because I was lonely at home by myself. It's fun. Sometimes you make friend from around the world. I went to 50s chatroom because I want not immature but nice man. I found a friend Alex and spent my whole time talking. Alex says loves me very much. We have relationship that goes on weeks or months. We chat almost every day. He says he is planing to send me a computer. He offers to help me with dental work. He offers to find me a job, there in America, in maintenance or cleaning. Why I do not know, but I introduced him to my friends. They added him to their chat friend lists.

Several of my friends have b/f like this, who send little gifts or make promises. Sometimes help make life better here by send money. Little for them but make in little town in Misamis Oriental a lot. One of my friend is interested in him because she has heard about his help for me. Somehow she found a way to convince him to love and help her. What did she do? I am not so pretty, but I try and am sincere. She is not so pretty either. What does she do or say that I can not do? That I have done for him? My help from Alex stops. My heart stops. He does not want me any more or talk to me.

He cheated on me with her. She can afford to do that to me because she always under estimated and undervalued me as a friend. Why take from me? It is sad for me, because Alex was helping me with a little money. Little to him, but lifeline to me and girls. It is so hurtful for me when I see them talking at café because Alex and I had made promises. Like lovers make promises. No chance to break and fix, because all this happened in such a hurry. I feel my friend is a traitor me to me. I am betrayed. Silly to meet man on internet and fall in love and be depend on him for affection and even day to day needs. But I weep.

My children do not understand and do not know me. This betrayal and this loss made me weak and desperate, not just in my heart. I lost more weight.  I cannot eat. I lose 10kg (20lb), but, I think I can recover. Over 10 months I stop losing weight and stable.  Now, I thank God now because I found new b/f. I love him. Very much and I will care him and not to share with my friends. I hope he will understand me why i keep him to myself so. He tells me not to be silly but I am.  It is not pretend. I need it.

Disaster... isn't impersonal.

This is old news now, but is not over for me. 

Number of flood victims breaches 2-M mark - GMANews - 01/31/2011 | 09:53 AM

this is the street we live on

It is surprise to me since i have online b/f now who is from some other place. I am surprised how little people know or care about what happens here in our province Misamis Oriental. Or even our country. That is true I think when we read about distant places and disasters and trouble there. The world is so big. So, I sent him pictures of our house and neighborhood after last flood last week.

Llara on front steps

Our village wasn't spared and many houses were flooded.


We do not have so many things and this is not our first flood. Roof of kitchen fell in, but I do not have picture of that.

...begining clean up..

some things spared

So, now b/f knows that distant natural disaster is not an impersonal thing. It can be very personal. Even from great distance.

Some people are very cynic and think maybe this is everyday event here in Cagayan de Oro, but it is not.  We have usually pretty happy life. But sometimes disaster strikes.

The disaster experience as it happens...

One night my friend Karen invited me to a party for her daughter's birthday. When I left home we were already having heavy rain.  My other friends and I, we always have fun there with Karen when we visit and this was a good night. After the birthday celebration I went home.

When I arrive there I was scared when I saw how much flooding there was!  I was instantly worried about my children in the house, so I ran through the high water to get to them. Thank God my kids were safe.  They were waiting for me. The heavy wind made me more nervous, so I held my 2 kids tight.  I saw the leaves of the trees, coconut bows and the roof of my kitchen damaged. Not only mine but there is damaged to my neighbor's too.

My friend said that she will take me a pictures of floods so that I can ask help to my b/f  to repair the damage of my roof... and (thank you) he did.

This flooding does not only happen once but  many times here at our place. Last time the water was very high and we couldn't sleep because the water was right there inside our sleeping room. We were hanging up our things to keep them out of the water.

This floods are not like before, but are more dangerous. Very dangerous.  Much more than the floods years ago. Sometimes I am frightened and tremble.  At the height of the storm I thought it was the end of the world...


Here are some pictures of flooding in our district

There are articles about the flooding on the internet - one here about schools. But, I am surprise how little. They think is common problem and not news maybe.

More about people who needed to be rescued.  Somehow none of these stories capture the fear in the flood, with the water rising and children with you.

Diet...

Today I am a little tired from work. Work was same as usual.  When we chat b/f asked me about food in Philippines, so I tell him our breakfast in this morning is "pinakbit",  a vegetable dish with a small amount of meat and lunch was a vegetables again with soup, chopsuey with rice and juice.  Dinner today is dried fish and vinegar, with rice.

pinakbet.. from restaurant

Pinkabit is eggplant, sayote, squash, okra, string beans,and pork meat. This is an internet recipe - although very fancy - I am not sure this recipe would make pinkabit that Llanna and Panni would recognize.
Boyfriend asks what is in soup. I tell him pechay, sayote, carrots, pork meat, tomato. Broth is from the pork ribs.

I have to budget the money for the next day salary is paid. When b/f sent me gift we celebrated. I stocked up on foods and bought the girls some ice cream, cake, good things or fun things that we normally don't have, after I did the priorities he wanted. School, dentist, flood repair, then extra for treat food.  Llana and Pammi and I sometimes have ice cream sandwich for treat. 

For special occasion we will roast a chicken.  I think one of my favorite food is lechon manoc, but on my salary we normally can not afford it.

More typical, we would eat eggs, fried eggs for breakfast and rice. Something like sardines or dried fish and rice for dinner.  Eggs are cheap only 6php ($0.15) each.  Because we are in the town we can buy them and our diet has a lot of fish because we are near the sea and we can buy for little amounts.  If I don't have enough money I will owe here at my neighbor's store and pay it on my salary day. Dried fish and sardines are the cheap food here but they make shiny healthy skin.

When I met b/f , I am sad to say, I was embarrassed and asked him for help because of the poverty here. My salary just is not enough for our needs. Especially school fees.  I had to pay for Pammi's exam fee and felt I had no choice but to ask.

Oh yes, I went to the dentist in this morning for the result of my fitting if my dentures, and have to back tomorrow again because I feel they hurt face. Dentist needs to adjust.

My b/f told me there are about 350 bloggers from Cagayan de Oro, the city near here, but only one priest has serious blog. All the others are happy times and love stories. Many blank. Students start blog then have nothing to say.  None are about what life is really like on day to day.  Some people are better off, but many are not. Blogs do not say this.

Life in islands...

People don't know what life is like in islands in the south of the Philippines. So, I write this blog to see if any one is interested in me, in my life and what lives of people here are really like.

Yesterday morning Monday I woke up around 5:30am to get ready to cook breakfast for my two lovely daughters.  Pammi is 14, she will start high school next year. Llara is 9. They are pretty girls. We live together here in a place I rent for around us$25 (php1,000) each month. Kitchen is outside, so I do not wake them while making breakfast. 

After my early morning routine, and girls off to school I opened my Yahoo messenger and I got an offline message from the man who really helped me. In his message he said that I need to check the balance of my bank account at an ATM machine. So after reading it I hurried to Suzzete's home and I asked her to come with me in the town.  I needed her to teach me how to inquire if my love's funds have arrived. It's my first experience with an ATM. Then while both Suze and I are in the ATM booth I checked my balance. WOWW!!  I was so happy I was really shouting for joy! Suze told me I was really lucky to find and meet someone who would  help like that. Thank you tagged.com!

I work at a pineapple canning factory. The hours are usually 1:00pm-9:00pm - if there is enough fruit ready for us to work. Lucky - I get to choose my hours so I can look after my two children.  Pay is around us$100 (php4,000) each month. That is usually enough. My landlady has moved to the city and again I am lucky. She lets me live in her house and use her computer for a little extra.

Last night, I get online after my work.  I told my b/f  that I really believed him that he would help, and I told him "THANK YOU!!".   As we talked he always ask me if I ever get bored with an old man but I insist for me he is the best man for me. When I saw him on cam it makes my heart skip a beat. We had a long talk and we ended up talking around 5:00am my time.

Tuesday morning I went to town to withdraw some money.  I really did what I promised him - to prioritize with his gift. First, I paid my daughters school fees, and then went to the dentist to fix my teeth. I have had no dentures since I had couldn't afford dentist in October last year. Then, we had a flood last week. Many died and a lot of damage, but the water only came to my knees in the apartment, so I used some of the gift to fix the flood damage. If he were close, he would be pleased with what I did with his gift. 

Mid afternoon I'm so excited - it is my love's birthday, I excuse from work - I worked only 4 hours and went home with a cake for my love and celebrate his birthday with my kids and relatives. He tells me to be my age 41, not act 14 and be silly... but I fell in love with him and I'm sure of it...

Tonight as I am writing this my mind and heart to my very special man.

For today...I love you...