The Dating Profiles Meme: Go Fish

The Dating Profiles Meme: Go Fish
1. Like to go fishing. Not really interested in hunting anymore.
:: I don’t like hunting too.
2. When describing my best traits, I kind of sound like I'm describing a puppy.
:: Here, puppy, puppy, puppy!
3. I'm not an alcoholic or anything, but I do enjoy high proof beverages.
:: Ummm… OK.
4. I seriously have a radar for freaks so stay clear because I won’t respond.
:: And you are not one? LOL!
5. With the exception of living out my dreams of spending my life on the shoreline, there is absolutely nothing I lack.
:: You are one lucky guy!
6. Sight unseen, trust me when I say this. On a scale of 1-10, I am an absolute 10!
:: Wow!
7. I can be so intense sometimes I even scare myself.
:: That’s scary!
8. I want someone funny but not a spaz.

:: OK.
9. Well, the truth is, I'm a nerd who's looking for another nerd to spend happy hours doing nerd-like things together.
:: Unfortunately, I am not the one you’re looking for. Sorry.
10. I'm looking for a long term sizzle rather than jet-lagged flash.
:: Well good luck with your search!

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Updates

Before I noticed it, my 4-day weekend has just ended. Yikes. But despite the change of plans (of me, not being able to scrap because my EHD died), I enjoyed the much-needed break by visiting the salon, meeting the Husband at the airport after two weeks of being away (he did not expect us to be there), lounging around the house and sleeping! I took the opportunity to rest because the following weeks will be very loaded.

And a good news: my files from my malfunctioned EHD were recovered! Woot! Thanks to our very competent and kind ICT head. And thanks too to those who were with me in wishing that they’ll be. But because our city is too small (you won’t be needing a gps) there are limited number of shops and they offer a limited variety of items. We visited three computer shops here  but none of them are selling EHDs as of this moment. Aargh… I still need to find way to get one soon so I can have my files back. Wish me luck!

On another note, I was supposed to go shopping for my godchildren yesterday but since my partner, Joniel, was not around, I postponed it. I rely on his judgment (and gift-wrapping skills) so I prefer having him around when I do my Christmas shopping.

Anyway, I hope you are having a great week. Have a blessed one!

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Sunday Stealing: The Tell Me About Yourself Meme

Sunday Stealing: The Tell Me About Yourself Meme
1. When is your birthday? Some time next month.
2. Where were you born? Somewhere here.
3. Where do you live now? Here.
4. What is your heritage? All Filipino.
5. Tell us about a weakness. Why should I? LOL! Being on time is one. Example, I am doing this Sunday Stealing Meme on a Monday!
6. What's a goal that you'd like to achieve? Loose weight?
7. What is the most overused internet phrase? LOL? LOL!
8. What was your first thought this morning? Woot! It’s a holiday!
9. When do you usually go to bed? From 7 PM to 1 AM. It depends.
10. Do you smoke? If not, did you ever? Never.
11. Do you like your current relationship status?Super! Could not ask for more.
12. Do you (or did you) get along with your parents? Yeah!
13. How often do you drink alcohol? Once a year. :)
14. Have you ever tried drugs (that weren't prescribed)? Nope. Never.
15. Have you ever gone skinny dipping? If yes, do tell. Nope.
16. If given the choice, how would you like to die? I dunno.
17. What did you want to be when you grew up? A rock star? LOL! Seriously, someone who can greatly influence the lives of many and bring about positive change in my community.
18. Have you ever been dumped? I do the dumping. :p
19. What's on your pizza? Cheese, lots of meat and hot sauce.
20. Have you ever shoplifted? Nope.

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Random

I should be scrapping, thanks to a very loong weekend that I have been enjoying. Unfortunately, my EHD malfunctioned while I was scrapping two nights ago. :( It’s Black Friday too but because of what happened, I am not in the mood to shop despite the huge sale going on in various shops. So here I am tweaking my blogs. I hope you like what you see!

Anyway, yesterday was spent at the salon. I was there for almost five long hours. But the wait is so worth it. I am so loving my new hair! After my my visit to the salon, I went to the mall where DD and Mama were. Mama shopped for DD’s Christmas gifts and party clothes and shoes. An aunt was there too so we all had pizza afterwards.

And someone will be coming home today! Woot! We’ll be meeting him at the airport though he is not aware of it. Sssh…

Have a great weekend!

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Not a CPA Yet.

One of our neighbors graduated this year with a bachelor’s degree in accountancy. She is currently working in a shipping company. However, she has no intention of taking the CPA board exam nor working in as a CPA in big companies like a Las Vegas cpa firm any time soon. She claims that not being a CPA does not make her a lesser human being.

However, I am still encouraging her to try and take the board exam. More opportunities will surely come her way. There is a bigger world out there to conquer and a CPA license can make the conquering a little easier. Aside from being able to support her family, she can also help others who are in need. I honestly hope that she will change her mind soon.

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Curls, Curls!

You Should Have Curly Hair

You are cheerful, outgoing, and downright bouncy. People find you to be very personable and real. You are confident in your own skin, and you don't feel like you have to fake anything. You are very independent and unique. You wouldn't like to look like every other person on the street. People find that you're honest, and it's easy to trust you. Others expect you to be honest in all facets of your life.

Should You Have Straight Hair or Curly Hair?

Blogthings: Discover the Parts of Your Personality that Have Been Hiding

Wow! I have been wanting to have my hair curled for about two years now but my stylist won’t let me because he knows me too well. He says that I will just get bored with it in a month or two. Aside from that, we have been re-bonding my hair and curling it seemed to be a silly idea.

But then, let me try my luck this time around. :D

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Be Who You Are

 
When I will have my own cubicle, I will print a poster that says that same thing to remind my students that who and what they are is good enough and there’s no need to try to be someone else. Most often, their insecurities make them do stupid things which are detrimental not only to their growth but are also causing disturbances to people around them. If only they would learn to love themselves, our office can focus more on student development programs and less on student discipline.

{photo source}

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A 50-Year Old Cosmetology School

Many people noticed that my hair has grown long. I didn’t intentionally grow my hair this long. It’s just that I am too lazy to visit the salon and have it trimmed. But I am aware that going there is inevitable, especially when my birthday and our annual vacation are just around the corner! So since we are going to have a long weekend towards the end of the month, I will be visiting the salon.

And speaking of salons, do you know that there is one Cosmetology School in Minneapolis that is more than 50 years old? It is named Regency Beauty Institute. Regency has about 30 campuses in about nine states. At Regency, interested students learn about cosmetology and enjoy exceptional education. Their campuses are design like upscale salons and that’s where they prepare their graduates to serve not only in salons but in cruise ships and runways as well. Their unique approach to cosmetology education makes their graduates highly recognized and sought after throughout the US.

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Did it Fit?

Last week, Ate Ces and I went to our favorite store and bought ourselves new blouses. This isn’t the first time that we went there together and bought the same styles of blouses but with different colors. Mainly the reason why Joniel calls us Super Twins. (A good example on how corny he can get. Haha!) And in case you don’t know them, read my post below.

Anyway, going back to my story. I spotted a yellow blouse that was similar to another blouse we bought some months back. That one was midnight green. When the blouse was handed to me by the sales lady, one older woman standing behind me commented, “That one is nice.” referring to the blouse I was holding. I thought of being nice to a stranger crossed my mind. Why not let her have the blouse instead, right? But I still went inside the fitting room to see how it will look on me. Haha. To my surprise, I found the lady standing by the door when I got out. I was more surprised when she asked me, “Did it fit you?” I smiled and said “Yes!” Hahaha. So she thought it won’t. So she thought she can have it instead ha.

Well, it fit me mainly because a portion at the back is garterized! :p

Anyway, that experience taught me two things:
1. I am indeed big. Bigger than I used to be. I need to loose weight. Soon.
2. There’s a time to be nice. And that isn’t one of those times. :p

Needless to say, I bought the blouse. Haha! And I began my diet the two days after that. So wish me luck!

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My Daily Lunch Dates

I do not know what came into Joniel that when I visited their office this morning, he was taking photos of himself! And since we rarely have photos together, I requested forced him to let a student take our photo. And since we are inside  Ces’ office, we also requested that a photo of us three shall be taken. Here’s the result:

Joniel frequently stars my blog posts, basically because we see each other daily and he usually accompany me when I need to shop during weekdays. He is a batch mate of my cousin and was one of our Peer Counselors. He is one of my most favorite gay friends because he is gay. LOL!

And there’s Ate Ces. DH got my number from her. Haha! I love her to bits and aside from Wes’, her shoulders are my crying shoulders. After Wes, she was the first person I talked to when I learned about the condition of my second baby. She cried with me that day. But aside from sharing my sorrows, she has been sharing my joys too. And I have always been an admirer for her strength and faith. She rarely complains despite of the pains that she has been experiencing.  

And this is her office. On her small table, five of us share our lunches five days a week. There’s DD and me, Ate Ces and her DS and Joniel. This is where we talk about trivial and important things alike, share secrets and even funny anecdotes like the one experienced by Ate Ces’ husband abroad while asking lady for the cheapest Outer Banks rentals last month. If only this table could talk!

They’re just two of the many wonderful friends that I have at the university. Aside from my desire to work for and with the youth, another reason that drives me to report to the university everyday is to be with them.

P.S.
It’s a Wednesday, which is our students’ wash day. We (Joniel and I) took advantage of it and declared the day as our jeans day. :p

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Saturday 9 on a Sunday

Saturday 9: Be True to Your School

 
1. What was your favorite subject in high school? English.
2. Do you watch reality shows? Which ones? Sometimes. Pinoy Big Brother.
3. What's your favorite all time reality show? Pinoy Big Brother, I think.
4. Do you feel "reality" shows are real or are they faked? I don’t really care. Haha!
5. What did you look like when you were a teenager? Slimmer with longer hair.
6. Whose advice do you listen to? My husband’s.
7. How often are you sick? Too often. :(
8. Do you like or dislike change? It depends on the change.
9. How many times in your life have you had a broken heart? What’s that? LOL!

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Tomorrow…

… will be the State of the Region Address to be delivered by a high-ranking official in the nearby province. However, since the regional office is based here in the city, obviously, the SORA will be held here! As always, we expect heavy traffic because many VIPs will be arriving to grace the said event. Thus, I need to sleep early (but that is not possible right now) so we can leave early and avoid traffic.

Anyway, it’s a brand new week and I am optimistic! Few days more and it’s December! I can’t wait!

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Bob Ong Books

While our husbands were talking about basketball and cars and Ferrari parts (all alien to me), Marijo and I talked about her collection of Bob Ong books. It was a nice discovery for me because I never knew that she’s into Bob Ong. I asked her who influenced her and no surprise here, it was our friend, Raquel. And because she (Marijo) has two copies of the Macarthur, the unopened copy was given to me! Yay! She willingly lent me her copy of ABNKKBSNPLAko? which I began reading once we arrived home. And boy, it is one hilarious read! Hilarious and true, like what Marijo said.
I can’t wait to finish it very soon and start the Macarthur. And since DH will be leaving for Davao next week, I already asked him to buy me all the Bob Ong books (instead of me using up my GCs from Trin! Haha!)

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Jose Joaquin’s Day

Today is a special day because we welcomed Jose Joaquin to the Christian world! He is the first born of our good family friends, Marijo and Joel. The rites began a little after 10 AM and it was followed by a sumptuous lunch which we all enjoyed. We opted to stay late, even after almost all of the guests went home. It was a great opportunity to take photos of the little boy who was asleep most of the time! Marijo and I hope to schedule a pictorial for Joaquin. Good for me because I can get to practice. Haha!

Anyway, here is a photo of us at the church:
  

Bingay, your family is the only one missing! :)

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Stylish but Cheap

Now that Halloween is over, I know that many of us are getting ready for the next big celebration and that’s Christmas! Have you made your list? Took out the holiday decors from the storage? What about picking a pair of Holiday Fun Eyeglasses to complete your Christmasy look? I just checked out the New Arrivals at Zenni Optical and here’s one that caught my fancy:

I love the color and it’s unique design! Say goodbye to your boring and plain eyeglasses and say hello to fun and stylish $8 Prescription Zenni Glasses!

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How To Live a Life of Miracles

Last night, I began re-reading Bo Sanchez’ How to Live a Life of Miracles. I can’t really remember if it was I who bought it or if it was given to us by a good friend, Laurence. But nonetheless, I love how Bo reminds us how abundant miracles are in this world if we are only open to them and make a choice to be aware of them. Moreover, he stressed that everything that we do and say affects us and the world, thus we can choose to bless or curse, to be proactive or reactive.

I like how Bo make things like this understandable and simple. His preaching are somewhat inspirational and practical. And not to mention amusing. :)

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Thank You, Ma’am Alma!

During our stay in the host school of the inter-school meet, we (my boss, myself plus a student assistant) were accommodated by one of our university professors who retired last year. Ma’am Alma, as we fondly call her, is such a sweet and nice person to let us in her house and stay there for five days without charge! She even stayed up late at night to wait for our arrival. On the last night, more staff arrived to witness the socio-cultural contest and guess where they stayed for the night. At Ma’am Alma’s place, of course.

Talking to her is a breeze. She understood our complaints about how our delegation was accommodated by her alma mater. She even sympathized with us when our contestants were not treated and judged fairly. She fed us with sumptuous meals and provided us with beds and pillows to use when we got tired.

She shared to us that the host school and her alma mater approached her and offered her a teaching post but after two weeks, they talked to her saying that they are having problems with her social security claims so they had to let her go. We don’t believe them but we feel for her because she is such an inspirational person and we know that she can positively influence more students given a chance. Thus, she is an invited facilitator and speaker during our graduating students’ retreat. They having her around, talking to her. She taught Religious Studies when she was a professor at the university and many were inspired by the way she taught them.

To say that we are very grateful for her kindness and generosity is an understatement. She is one of the kindest persons who stepped on our university’s grounds. We pray for her long life and good health. We pray that she won’t be doing any disability appeal because she deserves to live a good and comfortable life for a long time.

Thank you, Ma’am Alma, for providing us with a shelter and a kind mother during our stay there. See you very soon!

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A Surprise!

A friend is planning a honeymoon trip to anaheim next year so as early as now, he is already looking for the best deals on transportation, destinations and accommodation. Only the best for the love of his life, he says. It’s a surprise which he will divulge during their wedding reception and his future wife will surely be ecstatic as both of them love to travel. In fact, they met during a trip to Hong Kong three years ago. I am very excited for them and I hope that they will have a fun-filled honeymoon and a blessed married life.

Cheers to A and E!

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Friends Understand

One of my daughter’s classmate is said to be manifesting some of the adhd symptoms. In class, he is hyperactive, inattentive and finds it difficult to focus and sit still. Following instructions is tough too. His mother complained to me that her son is not using the particular notebooks for assigned subjects, thus, making reviewing notes more difficult both for the mother and child.

They have already brought the kid to a specialist who affirmed that indeed his is a case of adhd. It is unfortunate that some teachers fail to understand his situation. Indeed, there is a need to educate, even our educators.

One night, our daughter related a story about the boy who started a fight with another boy. She complained that this boy seemed to be quarrelsome. What my husband advised her touched me. He said that this boy is not like them and that he is a special kid. That is why she (my daughter) and her friends and classmates should understand him. At her age, I do not know if she understood what he said but every time she complains about the behavior of this kid, we remind her that he needs understanding because after all, they are friends.

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De-Stressing, His Style.

Someone’s honorarium increased and he promised to sponsor our office’s Christmas party this year! Woot! Being a food lover and a generous person, our boss never fail to share his blessings to us. Birthdays and other events are always remembered and celebrated.  He usually surprises us with treats whenever there’s an event, or when he receives a bonus. But unfortunately, eating is also his coping mechanism. And just like me, he is carnivorous! He used to follow a strict diet which made him lose weight but it’s impossible to achieve now, even with the aid of best weight loss pills because eating has been his de-stressor. Our work load is quite heavy and aside from that, he is also taking up a doctorate degree during weekends in Davao City. And when things get tough at work and school, what does he do? Eat! He hopes to finish his degree next year so he can have his life (and ideal weight) back.

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Gregarious

Your Friendship Style is Gregarious

You love being with people, and you find it easy to make friends. Hanging out with your friends gives you a real charge, and you tend to be busy every night of the week. You enjoy interesting conversations and shared activities with your friends. Your motto is: "The more the merrier" While you love your friends, you don't love it if they put demands on you. You don't think that friendship should be about obligation. You and an Empathetic Friend: Are get along best one on one. Your Empathetic Friend loves talking about your social circle but may feel left out when the whole gang is around. You and another Gregarious Friend: Are a perfect match. You've finally found a friend who's as outgoing and fun loving as you are. You and an Independent Friend: Are well suited for each other. You don't put too demands on your Independent Friend, and your Independent Friend finds you fascinating. You and a Philosophical Friend: Are pretty different. You're high energy. Your Philosophical Friend is more cautious. You'll have to meet in the middle and learn from one another.

What's Your Friendship Style?

Blogthings: Discover the Parts of Your Personality that Have Been Hiding

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Free Shabby Blog Stuff

I feel that there is a need for me to revamp my blogs. Hopefully, I can do it very, very soon. There are various free templates for bloggers out there and many of them I find nice. Here’s a recent find and if you’re into shabby things, you will definitely like them: shabbyblogs.com. They don’t offer templates but backgrounds, blinkies and other stuff that you might find useful for your blogs, whatever platform you might be using. Most stuff were made by Corina Nielsen, Christina Renee and more so you are assured that they are nice and very pretty.

Happy blog redesigning!

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Worth the Wait

The year is about to end and I am happy to report that most of our plans materialized this year. One of our biggest accomplishments is being able to go on a vacation, just the three of us, and enjoy each other’s company. It was not as grand as an orlando vacations (maybe in the years to come) but what made it very memorable was it happened when we celebrated our anniversary plus the fact that we have waited for this vacation for three long years. Finances was not the problem. It was time. My husband’s work is very demanding and his schedule is very unpredictable. Even weekends which were supposed to be his time for us were not spared. That’s why when we finally found time and the opportunity, we grabbed it and scheduled a trip to Davao City. We hope to do more family travels in the coming years so we save, save, save!

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Coloring Fun for Kids

My daughter enjoyed a week of semestral break. As advised by her classroom adviser, I allowed her to just enjoy the vacation and did not require her to review her notes nor practice her penmanship (a chink in her armor actually). We allowed her to watch her favorite DVDs and Disney Channel shows. She was also given unlimited number of hours to just play, read her books, do art and more until she gets tired. And while I was browsing the web for an effective antivirus software, I stumbled upon a fun site that offers various coloring sheets for free. There are hundreds of images and themes to choose from and my daughter was overwhelmed by the choices I presented to her. Here’s one of the many that she chose:

She surely enjoyed working on her Nemo coloring sheets. Next in line are the Care Bears, she said.

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Fond Memories

November 1 is a special date for Filipinos. We usually honor our dead on this day. Many of us usually go home to our hometown to be with our loved ones and to visit the graves of our beloved dead.

My fondest childhood memories include spending time with my grandmother, brothers, cousins, mom and aunts at the public cemetery, visiting the graves of our grandfather and uncle. We usually go there around mid-afternoon bringing with us flowers and candles. Vendors abound at the entrance of the cemetery and we are usually given money to spend on whatever food and stuff that caught our attention. We bought popcorn, peanuts, soft drinks and juices. There were plastic balloons, paper dolls, toy cars and even toy car accessories. Our parents, being parents, usually complain about that. But our grandmother, being a grandmother, financed our endless trips to the vendors’ stalls. We ate and play and talk while the adults talked about adult stuff. When the evening comes, when we were full and got tired of our toys, we usually gather around the lighted candles and gather the melted wax which we turn into balls of wax.

Those were the good old days and I miss them. The remains of my uncle and grandfather were transferred to the memorial park, where my grandmother’s remains are. The place isn’t as crowded as the public cemetery but going there isn’t fun anymore. And it’s not because there are no vendors. There are plenty. It is because we have all grown up. Some of us are now working in big cities. And our grandmother already left us.

I miss those days filled with fun and laughter and love. I miss being with my family and relatives. I can never bring back those times, I know. But I am keeping those happy memories in my heart.

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Sunshine Plata: Filipino Coffee Painter

Resourcefulness and creativity is very natural to us, Filipinos. So it’s no wonder when our very own, Sunshine Plata became famous to the world as the Filipino Coffee Painter. She claims that the subjects of her art are products of her dreams. Many of her master pieces were already sent to London and Canada for viewing. Moreover, she already did some one-woman exhibit featuring her works of art, plus a coffee painting workshop for young and old alike. Two of her paintings were even bought by Ripley’s Believe it or Not!

Kudos, Sunshine! Thank you for making us proud!

P.S.
Get to know more Sunshine Plata and her unique art by visiting her blog.

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Sunday Stealing Meme (11/01/09)

Sunday Stealing: The Strange Question Meme, Part 1

1. What is the color of your toothbrush?
:: Purple and white.
2. Name one person who made you smile today.
:: My daughter.
3. What were you doing at 8 am this morning?
:: Having breakfast prepared by my husband.
4. What were you doing 45 minutes ago?
:: Instructing DD to take a bath.
5. What is your favorite candy bar?
:: Twix.
6. Have you ever been to a strip club?
:: Nope.
7. What is the last thing you said aloud?
:: To DD: “Go, brush your teeth.”
8. What is your favorite ice cream? How to choose?
:: Old fave: Coffee Crumble. New fave: Double Dutch. Yum-o!
9. What was the last thing you had to drink?
:: Water.
10. Do you like your wallet?
:: Very much. It was a gift from Mark (one of my brothers in-law) two years ago.
11. What was the last thing you ate?
:: Rice, luncheon meat and salted egg with tomatoes.
12. Have you bought any new clothing items this week?
:: Nope. None yet.
13. The last sporting event you watched?
:: I was at an inter-school meet last week so I saw a lot of sporting event! There was basketball, softball, lawn tennis, table tennis and badminton.
14. What is your favorite flavor of popcorn?
:: Cheese.
15. Who is the last person you sent a text message to?
:: My husband.
16. Ever go camping?
:: Yeah, during my elementary days.
17. Do you take vitamins daily?
:: Yup. My resistance is weak and it seems that I get sick quite often. Do you think I need to consider getting a health plan from bcbsnc?
18. Do you go to church every Sunday?
:: Yes, when I can. But being sick like today, I only catch Sunday Mass on TV.
19. Do you have a tan?

:: Nope.
20. Do you prefer Chinese food over pizza?
:: Absolutely!
21. Do you drink your soda with a straw?
:: Yeah.
22. What did your last text message say?
:: From me? Asking my husband to buy me ascorbic acid plus a loaf of bread.
23. What are you doing tomorrow?
:: Probably go out with my family and visit my relatives’ grave (if I feel better). Or stay home if I still feel sick. I hope it’s the former.
24. Favorite color?
:: Pink.
25. Look to your left; what do you see?
:: A wall.

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Under House Arrest

Someone is on house arrest today and that is me. :( Like what I mentioned on my previous post, I have been feeling sick and today is the worst day so far. Aside from a clogged nose, I am also coughing and have difficulty breathing, no thanks to my asthma. We were supposed to visit my relatives’ graves and stay at my parents’ home but due to my condition, we have to stay home. *sigh* Hopefully, this day’s rest will let me recover so we can go out tomorrow.

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