counter strike??

Guess where I am right now?

I’m actually with my guy friends, 5 of them in a cafe playing Counter Strike. They invited me but I declined. Why? Though I played CS years before and enjoyed it actually. I already forgot the functions and shortcuts to be used. And I might impede their enjoyment for the whole hour. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not tomboy and a war-freak. I just like that game cause it keeps me alert. Haha.. And they’re good friends actually.

Counter Strike, by the way, is a game consisting of 2 teams, the terrorist and counter-terrorist which a player could choose to be with, or just be a spectator, like me. Each team attempts to complete their mission objective which to my knowledge is a race to eliminate the opposing team. Each team starts at the opposite end of the map, armed with its default equipment. Standard monetary bonuses are awarded to the team who wins a round, lose a round, kills an enemy, be the first to instruct a hostage to follow, rescues a hostage or plants a bomb. The players could also buy equipments to replenish used rounds with their money earned.

That’s just what I could remember. I enjoyed it then though. Their shouts of excitement and laughs actually echoes inside the cafe right now. I get to glance into 2 of the screens and be excited with their fights. Friendly fights that is. I envy them. Anyway, at least they enjoyed their game and me here, blogging.

found it!!

I was rummaging for a polo for a friend yesterday afternoon. But instead I found my lost pair of earring I blogged about previously. Hehehe.. It kind of looks like this, and its silver too.

angel in disguise

This is Macky, my angel in disguise today (he’d probably be mad at me for posting this pix – sorry mac). Here’s how it went: I made my round of reports late last night, procrastinating, so in effect I woke up late and skipped breakfast. Feeling down, sleepy and tired I go aimlessly about my way to Cugman for a task. I was not psyched up to do the task and was pushing myself for it to no avail. I finally decided to do my duty even if my heart was half into it cause I was running out of time. Just then, Macky came running to do his share of duty as well. He was sweating and catching his breath. It was not necessary for him to be there on time but HE DID, because he has a responsibility and commitment to do it, he said. And he even left his chores at home to be with us. Wow! In a way, it encouraged and inspired me to do my duty as well. I am very grateful indeed.

07.24.2008

Since I have no topic in mind to post, lemme share my day instead.

I hadn’t had breakfast this morning because I woke up late at 6:30. Thinking I would be late for 7:30, I hurried myself preparing my things and for my lunch, leaving no time for a few bites of breakfast. It was already 7:32 in my watch when I left home and most probably the same time of the school I’m newly employed right now. I had to walk about 100meters from our house to ride a jeepney since they had a rerouting, and another motorela ride to the school. When I arrived, I wondered why it was still deserted and only 1 staff and the directress who greeted me at the gate were there. I didn’t know that classes starts at 8AM. Hehehe.. Anyway, that was a good start. Imagine my fear seeing the directress, much more greeting me upon my arrival, at the gate.

Secondly, today was rather a decision-making day of sort. While talking with the directress, she asked me if I could sacrifice my Wednesday afternoon for a one-hour remediation session with my student so there might be continuation in the topics discussed in their school. My whole day of Wednesday were spent in my other work also with the same job but different center which she’s aware that I cannot give up. We’ve arrived at a compromise but she has yet to talk to one of her student and ask her permission first. So I still have to ponder on this.

Next, of the 6 of us in the group, only 5 were invited by our well-loved undergrad instructor to attend his long-planned wedding this Saturday. Take note also, of the 60 something of us in the class, we were the only ones invited. It is indeed an honor. The mass starts at 2PM so either we had to ditch the reception and attend our 4PM class on our Master’s or not come to class at all. And, we had to decide if we had to inform our other member or just make excuses or what cause he might be wondering why we didn’t attend our class that day. Plus the gift. So we met after work and went straight to SM to buy our gift. I’m glad this ones not so hard. Looking at the displays and discussing about its functions and importance, we voted for a dish organizer since its not common to give dish organizers on wedding. And its also useful for the newly weds as well.

Tum tum tum dum… Decisions, decisions. Why can’t it be just black and white? Why does it have to have some colors? Hehehe… Duh… Colors made it all meaningful and enjoyable, right?

fried ice cream, at last!!

The first time I’ve heard of fried ice cream, I immediately became curious and interested. Curious as to its packaging, appearance, taste and how its made. Whenever I stepped unto Dumaguete City, I always yearn to try out its famous and only-in-Dumaguete fried ice cream. I had been to Dumaguete City a couple of times before but due to time constraint, I hadn’t had the chance to try their delicacy.

Last May, I had the chance to visit Dumaguete City for 2 short days with friends, actually, it was only 40 hours. Nonetheless, a chance to taste their fried ice cream as a treat from a buddy and good friend of Dumaguete City. At last!! He bought me to Panda Fried Ice Cream, its famous maker of fried ice cream and a local store. We ordered chocolate, ube and vanilla flavors among the others offered at a lesser price than ordering it by piece and soya milk for our drink. Healthy living huh. When our orders were brought to our table, I can’t help but be curious and meticulous. It was my first time, so forgive me for my actions. Well, the Panda store made their own ice cream which they put in the filling and wrapped it with cooked dough, not baked. I wonder how they closed the dough with the ice cream inside? Surely, with the heat required to cook the dough the ice cream inside would melt, but it didn’t. It was served frozen in our table. Hhmmm… Whatever they did, it was just great. Finally had a taste of their famous fried ice cream.

Panda Ice Cream, ice cream just for you…

whattadei!!

Today was rather an unusual day.

1st: Upon preparing to leave this morning, I dropped the other pair of my favorite casual, simple earring and I’m not sure where in my cabinet it landed. Its a silver, small looped earring. Now I can’t find it. What’s left is its other pair which would be useless without the other pair. So for now, while its pair is gone, the remaining loop lies on my earrings box.

2nd: I was with Macky this afternoon helping him with his songs for tomorrow when we decided to fetch the other members and inform them of the line-up. As we were going to the house of our last member, I accidentally slipped beside the pathway and my rubber sandal’s strap snapped. Darn! I had no choice but to limp to our other member’s house. Macky didn’t notice it. As we were leaving that house, he noticed my now snapped sandal and limp, and volunteered that we exchange slippers. I hesitatingly obliged knowing that he’d probably be uncomfortable wearing my heeled, rubber sandal. In the end, I obliged. We were on our way to their house when he took my sandals and walked barefoot. Wow! Such a nice gesture. And he even borrowed her mother’s sandal for me since I still have to go somewhere else.

There it was. Nonetheless, I had a fine day. Chit-chats here and there, smiles at funny and nice conversations. I had bought a new sandal though cause I promised Macky’s mother to return her sandals after my errand, she might need it.

the kids I teach

I find it more enjoyable teaching special children in the center I’m connected with right now than normal kids. I’m more patient with them than the normal ones.

One 9 year old Deaf kid would even gladly welcome me with a smile and an open arms when I arrive. I was handling him, teaching him sign language of the alphabets. He was a fast learner in puzzles though. He could assemble 2 combined parts of 24-pieces each and made it into 2 separate pictures without a guide picture. I’m not sure yet if he had already memorized it or he was just a fast learner with pictures. Haven’t made further tests yet.

jeamar, our deaf student

Another 6 year old Down Syndrome girl would even cling to my hands when its her time to go home. Would even have tantrums if I withdraw my hands. She would want to be hugged, lifted up, played around and wants to get our attention. We didn’t had much cognitive lessons on her, instead, we do some mild physical exercises for her.

charlyn, our crying student

And another 13 year old Down Syndrome student just wants to write and she writes legibly. She is now good with puzzles yet non-verbal, still. She likes to touch my nose and kiss my hand and cheeks. She is indeed sweet and thoughtful. She would even want to take care of her 10 year old autistic classmate. And is very picky, doesn’t want to use broken crayons. That’s how she is.

lm (left) helping khaye, her autistic classmate

It was indeed a worth-while experience being with them. They may be special kids but they strive to survive and learn the ways of this world.

.. passing thoughts ..

Life is too short to wake up with regrets. So love the people who treat you right. Forget about the one’s who don’t. Believe everything happens for a reason. If you get a second chance, grab it with both hands. If it changes your life, let it. Nobody said life would be easy, they just promised it would be worth it.

Friends are like balloons; once you let them go, you can’t get them back.

I have no regrets embracing you into my life and accepting you as part of my family as well. =)

.. passing thoughts ..

Life is too short to wake up with regrets. So love the people who treat you right. Forget about the one’s who don’t. Believe everything happens for a reason. If you get a second chance, grab it with both hands. If it changes your life, let it. Nobody said life would be easy, they just promised it would be worth it.

Friends are like balloons; once you let them go, you can’t get them back.

I have no regrets embracing you into my life and accepting you as part of my family as well. =)

26 and counting..

A teacher asked her pupils to give an example of things which are countless.. One answered water.. Another answered sand.. The other answered air.. Everyone answered until the teacher called her last pupil to answer, he said, BLESSINGS..

Today marked my 26th year here on Big Daddy’s land. As such, let me count 26 among the countless blessings He has bestowed on me. Here it is in random order:

1. my God, my faith, my fortress, my comforter, my friend, my brother..
2. a blessed life
3. loving and supportive family
4. caring and loyal friends
5. experiences (the ups and downs of life that strengthens me and made me into who I am today)
6. my voice (though it got damaged, still I’d like to thank Him for using it to praise Him)
7. songs and music (can’t last a day without it)
8. intellect, talent and skills (had been my venue in helping others countless times already)
9. my eyes (my window to the world)
10. my hands (used to helped people and share what I have to others)
11. my feet (which brought me to different places)
12. bestfriend mai-mai
13. the cugman boys and our music (glad I met you guys, glad to be part of the group)
14. mentors
15. groupmates
16. my pet dogs (my destressors)
17. my degrees
18. the special children who made me feel blessed
19. the families who treated and cared for me as part of their own
20. my swimming hobby
21. my new acoustic guitar (my bday gift to myself)
22. the unending physical nourishment (the FOODS!!!!!)
23. the laughters
24. the tears
25. the company of friends; old, new, near, far and cherished ones
26. the smiles =)

There it is.. Happy Birthday to me!!

Only spent the day at home, in this computer, with my guitar and the chicken curry salad I had prepared (my younger bro asked for something he hadn’t tried yet). Had no plans of going out today or tonight. I already had an advance celebration of sort with my friends last Saturday and Sunday, since they’d be busy today. Nonetheless, their text messages of birthday greetings made me smile. =)

another first-time experience..

Last Sunday afternoon, our city experienced a sudden burst of heavy rain for 3 straight hours. 2 of the rivers in the city overflowed thus flooding their surroundings. I was at one of the barangay in our city beside one of those rivers when it overflowed. I was trapped in one of my friend’s house as the rain was still pouring and the sky was getting darker. Another friend of ours texted that the water in their floor was already ankle-deep. Their house is in the riverbank, and even elevated by a foot from the ground. While some of my friends soaked in the rain to help neighbors near the riverbank. Watching from the window, I saw 2 wood houses being carried in the water, a washing machine and a refrigerator. When the rain slowly died down, we went to the friend whose house was near the river bank. I didn’t mind wading in the flooded, muddied alleys going to their place. We just wanted to reach their house, took a glance at the riverbank and get near the brown river. At the back of their house was our usual hang out place which was already gone with their fence. Infront of me, I witnessed 2 banana tree uprooted by the strong current and the Gmelina tree gone earlier. That’s how strong the current was. Soon after, the water level receded. Thankfully, I can already go home, and my friends in that place safe.

I visited our hang out place beside the riverbank yesterday and was glad that a little portion was still there. Though the water almost ate up everything, making a cliff 10-feet deep beside the river. As of last night, the river widened and was back to its normal level again.
Wheew!!

the diagnosis??

Thank God its not laryngitis!! Good news right. Hehe.. The bad news though is that it was permanently damaged, it will no longer totally close thus its hoarseness whenever I hit a high key. The specialist forbade me to sing for long hours and whenever my throat starts to strain, and high pitched songs are a no-no for me from now on. He even totally forbade me to sing or talk in long hours before learning of my profession. Gosh.. I can no longer sing some of my favorite songs, huhuhu.. But I can’t promise to not sing them again one of these days, hehehe.. Stubborn me.. I love to sing.. It’s my way of expressing myself. Nonetheless, I’m thankful it’s not the worse thing that I imagined and hope it will not worsen. Though it depends on how I use it anyway. =)