Hard Times

Crime rates are increasing by the dozens. It’s everywhere.  With the time change and economic crisis, crimes are getting rampant in areas when poverty and rate of unemployment is high. I have experienced this in some of the cities here in the bay area. I know one community that used to be a very nice area. The economic crash put so many communities in trouble and the community that I used to know is not the same anymore. It’s so bad to see the change but nothing else we can do. These are the effect of hard times. I hope someday things will get better. 

The situation these days, you will never know what to expect. People are doing crazy stuff to live and survive. It’s a good idea to think ahead about knowing where this reliable California criminal lawyer in the area. Better to get references handy just in case trouble comes. You can’t really tell how things could go bad these days. It’s advisable you have to know good people to turn to when problems like this comes. Get some extra precaution too about the surrounding and have that “New York State of mind” will be a good start. To my friends and family who lives in LA, I will look into getting them some referrals about Los Angeles criminal defense lawyers. I am sure there are many practicing criminal defense attorney Los Angeles in their vicinity. But I just want to make sure to get a few names for my own contact in case they don’t have it.

Happy New Year

Start a new year with a good new year at Don Giovanni for dinner and welcome the year with a toast of Champagne. I just stayed home with hubby and celebrate our solemn and quite evening. The night I dreamed of. I never regret of not having it spend with friends. I am sure it will be more fun with them but I wished to feel relaxed at home. Indeed it was.

On the first day of the year, I spend my afternoon at a friend's house and it was fun full of good food and laughter. It was a moment to celebrate.

Movie Scare

I got my scare when I watched Paranormal Activity 3 with a new friend. The movie was short and the ending sucks! But it was the scariest part that you don't want to miss. Now I give you hint so if ever you want to watch it, brace yourself. It's worth seeing but I wish there could have some little positive thing to the main character. Anyway, I don't want to give the details. I want you to watch it. If you want to get scared, this could give you some.

No Work Etiquette

I am pissed because people at my job has no regard about work etiquette. They always call in sick almost every week. They have no concern about the people who's in the office working alone. It's been happening all the time. I hate to deal with them. The company is very lenient too about sick time and vacation time. Somehow that I myself could get benefit. But people at my job are just using it too much. For me I always plan ahead my time on when to use it and when it's really needed. I guess they just don't work like I do.

Bombay Garden - Lawrence

It's an Indian Cuisine located in the small shopping center near Lawrence Expressway adjacent to El Camino Real. I was bored with eating bland food with my hubby's ideas of food choices I went to Bombay Garden. It's close to home doesn't have to rush and we only have an hour to spend until the restaurant close.

Arrived past 9am. Greeted by an Indian man and got us a seat. We took no time and head straight to the buffet area. I wished I could take photos on their set up but I was cautious enough that the restaurant might not allow it. I don't want to get embarrassed. I got my food and this time I was trying to taste other menus. I know that the restaurant always serve hot and spicy food so I was reading the name food plate and checking on the ingredients. I got food where there was no spicy written on it. It was quick to chose a food and I sat across my hubby.

We savor our food and I like the experience this time. This probably my 3rd time in this restaurant and I think finally I was able to appreciate the food. It's not that bad. The only draw me and my taste bud is the food being hot and spicy. My experience last night was different. Though I know it was already hot in my mouth because of how good the food I was eating it with not much problem. I still keep on drinking water though. :) And, also my nose leak after. LOL! So much so the restaurant's ambiance and food was great.

5 weeks over

I just arrived 30 minutes ago from my recent trip to Cebu. I had ups and downs moments while I was there because the tension of the condition of my family and other personal matters created so much things going on but in the end there's some ease. I left with a good heart. I wish I could just stayed there and help my sister in law but I am a married woman who has an obligation to take care of a husband.

I am praying that my brother will be fine and the next time I see him it will be more of a drastic improvement. I will be thinking positive and I believe he can do it.

2nd Session in class

Most of us arrived in the class at 6pm. It's 30 minutes early than the scheduled time. The teacher told us to be there early so she could discussed to us about the lighting. Our basis was the sunlight. It was sunset then. We were able to shoot our classmate per instructions by the teacher under the shed. Helping us to know about several poses and techniques. I got a little reserved because I wasn't really feeling good because of a headache. I wasn't too responsive. I was just a listener then. Well, most of my classmates would run out of ideas too so the teacher was feeling in some thoughts about it. She's really a nice teacher.

The discussion that we had were shadows, poses, lights, props and lighting accessories. It's a very short topic with a limited time but I learned a lot. I am very overwhelmed too. My classmates photos are great as well. So majority of us can really capture good portraits. The next 2 weeks I am doing my assignments. I am still thinking where to shoot and what my concept will be.

Mercy is Upon Us

I've got an email from my younger brother stated that she pitied my mom because of what happened to her and dad the previous night. They were robed while they were asleep. The target was on Money and some few gadgets. I was scared to think what if things happen terribly. What could happen to them?

The stranger entered our house through my parents room. It's the only place in the house where it is not really safe for bad strangers to go inside. I haven't think about it but it is. It bothered me why did my parents were too sound asleep when they entered there in the first place. The room is very small that any any noise can be so apparent. I felt like maybe they were put into some kind of a black magic or something. I might be a little superstitious but it can be. It's quite strange for how the incident really happen.

I am praying for them to be very careful next time. I hope they won't give that trust to anyone. The economic crisis are just affecting a lot of people. These people who suffered would do crazy stuff like stealing and perhaps would kill just to get what they want even if it's not a good way for them to survive. I still do thank God for protecting my parents despite what they have lost. I am sure it will fold a hundred more because I know my parents are good people.

Getting Ready

My day at work this week was so freaking busy. It wasn’t stressful but the loads that I am having. I finally got to breathe yesterday which was Friday the last day of the week. It was a relief to inform my manager all the things that needs to be done while I am gone. But we will be having a final meeting on Tuesday to clear all lines of responsibility and pass it on.

I started packing Thursday. I wanted to make sure I have my brothers thingy which was the expensive thing to carry. My friend in Texas had something for her family too so I put it all together with my brother stuff so it will not be left out when things can get crazy on Tuesday night. I have not finished the packing yet since I am confused what to do with the rest of the candies I bought for the relatives and friends in Cebu. Definitely one luggage can’t fit it all. It’s all boxes of candies. There’s no way it could fit to a medium luggage. Hopefully, I can take one more so I can take everything that’s important.

My flights are booked through Cathay Pacific and a trip to Boracay through PAL. I am hoping to get my parents with me but I can’t see flight on PAL with discounted rates. It is so expensive to purchase the tickets right now. I saw some flights going to Kalibo. I don’t want them to take that route for just the two of them while I will be with hubby to Caticlan. I am not sure if they can make it to their flight safe. They’re 2 old people they could get lost easily. People in the PI when you are at the port there will be a hassling moment. I don’t want them to get stressed especially my dad.

I hope for a fun filled trip in the coming days ahead…til then!

Thanksgiving 2009

This year my thanksgiving day was different than the usual celebration we did with my husband. For the past 4 years, we spent our days traveling to a certain place. Last year 2008, we didn’t have the chance to spend it somewhere else due to the fact we just moved to a new abode. We just dined in at Black Angus.

Now, with friends celebrating it was so much fun. I am very glad to have it with them. It’s a tradition to have it spend with family but since we both don’t have our family here nearby at most times it’s just us. I am thankful that my good friend Marife and her husband invited us to be with them. It is so nice of them. The food was great. We have the big traditional turkey on the table and other delicious food. My first time with friends make it so special on some way too.

Halloween Fun

It was my very first to wear a costume and spending time with friends. My costume is the version of the Bride of Frankenstein. Reviewing all the photos and clips from the original movie, I don't find it interesting to copy cat her. So I made to use a different thing to make it modern. With the help of my husband, he made my hair perfect for the costume. My friends did ask on how it was done. They were pretty surprised that Joe did it for me. They really liked it on me. That was a very good appreciation. I don't need much of those since there is no need to impress but the thing that people see you as they see you as you are, that's a big thing. So happy about that.

Hubby and I went to Shirley's spent a few hours there and friends invited me to join them at Zen in Mountain View. Hubby went home while I was with the girls. It was fun at the club. Listening to music and dancing. People were jamming really good. The downside of it, the music though doesn't really impress me. Though they played mostly good songs but the mixing was not impressive for me. Still, it didn't spoil the excitement I had since good friends were too cool enough to make the night so full of delight.

Birthday Surprise

It was my birthday surprise for Joey and so glad that my friends made it possible for me. But best of all thankful for the main host for spending the occasion at her house. The guests invited were cooperative too. And I would say we pulled it off to deliver the surprise until we brought in the birthday cake. It was deliberately a shocking revelation but so very happy he appreciated the thoughts we had for him.

What a day

I can't believe I make myself to stay to the job I feel not very satisfied. On the other hand, I feel lucky to have a job. Economy does going to get positive but yet you can still hear companies laying off. My company for instance and the branch where I am working. I thought there could be no lay off except for the drivers but then changes had been made so fast. Few weeks ago, our warehouse supervisor was laid off with no prior notice. I didn't know why and the only thing they could tell me they don't have a need for his position. The other side of that which made me very surprised. They hired a transportation coordinator a new name I guess while the drivers supervisor beforehand were transfered as the warehouse coordinator. It makes me feel not very happy on the side of the person who was laid off. Anyway, the new hired was okay. He seemed nice but not as dedicated like the person who handles the warehouse now.

With just having a new hired in the branch, a drastic changed appeared. While I was away yesterday and Wednesday afternoon, so much things were going on. My boss told me that his afraid of what might happen to our department. He said that there could be a change. I wasn't really sure what he meant by that until today I asked my co-worker. She said that our director was fired and our boss might be repositioned. It's not confirmed but that's just what she heard. I saw our VP and the director of the other branch. Something new that might what my boss told me yesterday. It didn't surprise me and I just kept on doing what I am doing. Our director called and asked for the other director. I didn't know what their conversation was because they quietly do their own thing. I know there could be some transition on their conversation but I just seemed to be working on my own while my co-worker do her own as well. We both just kept on observing the atmosphere. Until before I went to lunch, the director told me that she no longer be our director instead she will be doing the marketing for our department. Most of the time she will be working at home and just visit the office once in a while. Next week as what she said she will still be working to do the work for the fiscal period until then we might not see her often. Our boss will still be our supervisor.

Not much have been said there. I have not talked to my boss. I am quite busy with my report for our recycling program. There will be another responsibility that I will be doing in the next days ahead. I could be on the training to make reports for next years annual reporting. Another task, no raise. But still better to keep on the loop.

Not been around

Yes you are right. Not been around here for long. Really not that long but I would say a month or so. This must have been the longest days I am not updating my blog. But these days, I have to start again and hopefully build again another relationship to my readers and hopefully can attract advertisers.

To sum up the last couple of weeks, I did meet 2 old schoolmates from high school. It's almost 2 decades haven't been able to see them. That must be too long but we do still remember. Time flies so fast, you will never your future is already your present. I guess I don't make sense on this but I just assumed that you know what I mean. lol!

I attended a birthday, house warming, christening, baby shower and of course eating Filipino foods were just so great seeing my friends. Pictures can't be live without. Most of my friends are so fanatic about making pose and just be what they are. It's fun to see all different faces and reactions. As for me, loving taking pictures of portraits, I don't mind just to be the person behind the camera. Well, indeed it will give me more experience in learning the functionality of my camera and the techniques I could get from each shoot.

Of course, FB is so popular these days. It's the site where people are great crazy updating and getting to be socialize. I have fun using the site and addicted to their games like FT. Now, I am learning to know some other games but as slow as I am into learning new games I know one day I could get into it by heart.

Anytime soon, I will be posting some of the pictures I took from different people and attaching as well some of my creation using my editing skills. Til then!

Looking back

The night since I lost my Taffy, I dreamt about my “Nanay” Ellen. The latter means mother. She was my mom’s loyal best friend and the only one she got. To me she was my 2^nd mother. I had grown of her discipline, love and care. I remembered going to her house almost everyday to talk and just to be with her. She nurtured me with a good heart. I miss her dearly since 2004 when I lost her. I wasn’t even at her grave when she was gone. I was in Malaysia that time. When I came home that year, I thought I could visit her but no one was able to take me where she was placed.

The public cemetery in Talisay is just crazy. Overpopulation spreads the island even up to the memorial site. The old graveyard property become so small to accommodate all those past loved ones. One tomb could take a number of people. I am not even sure if she has her own and didn’t share a space in a tomb. Or I don’t know if she still placed in Talisay. The last time I heard from my mom, her family would want to take her to another location where her daughter was placed too.

Marites was her daughter. She was a good friend of mine. My memories of her was so much fun. We went out together to go partying in public disco places every time there is “Barangay fiesta”. We would wear the most lavish clothes, got drank and danced with some of the boys that we had crushed on or got relationship with. It was a clean fun when I was with her. She was a good person. The thing I could miss her was her very distinctive inviting laughter that can extend a few distance and that you could go along to laugh too. Apart from seeing her when she was gone, I had a guilty feeling not able to do it for her mom. It’s one of my goal next year to visit her when I will get a chance to take my vacation in the PI.

My head spins

Daniella my co-worker left to Arizona on Thursday leaving me behind alone working on a friday. I got a help from the Director. It's quite uncomfortable having her at the other desk helping me getting the calls but I am so very grateful that she was there for the support. I had a busy day and I was glad I didn't get so much bad donors.

Today was a spin day for me. Early start hour within 30 minutes I started turning the phones on, the 2 lines were blinking non stop. Richard the manager of the drivers were helping me to get the other phone lines on hold. My boss arrived after 30 minutes which I was still joggling the calls but I did get help after that. We got a new temp and she arrived 10 minutes before 10am. She was being interviewed and later then my boss trained her for the job. I was still on the phone majority taking all the calls. Busy day for me and my head spins more not until I got a call from this crazy guy. I can't imagine how bad mentally he is. The story that we were discussing just keep on rolling with the same conversation. It is so painful to be in the situation I was already tensed and I hanged up. Later he called back and Liz picked up the phone. Same thing happen he just keep on talking and talking. The boss finally picked up the phone from us. He told the man to stopped bothering us for we can't no longer help him. He suggested that if he want to make any other comments with our service he better call the police so someone can speak with him. The man just said to him 'you will sue me or kill me?'. His sick and with the talk I was with him I had trembled for several minutes because I was angry and my blood rises.

There are just so many crazy people in the world that you can find anywhere. I hope families who has sickly family member will take notice of it and don't let them get away in the real world. It just make me get angry thinking about it.

Picture Surprise

My very good friend Hazel got me a tag on what pictures do I have in my folders. I have so much pictures that I can't really tell which one was it. Good thing, I haven't transferred yet my pictures to a dvd. It's better with a DVD, more stuff to download than a regular cd.

Here are the rules:

1. Go to your Picture Folder on your computer or wherever you store your pictures.
2. Go to the 6th Folder and then pick the 6th Picture.
3. Post it on your blog and tell the story that goes with the picture.
4. Tag 5 other glorious people to do the same thing and leave a comment on their blog telling them about it.
I took this picture Dec 7, 2007 at a small get together with friends in San Jose. It was a seafood food treat. This crab was so yummy that I could remember using my bare hands eating this. It made it more delicious. It was so good to think about some things you just took for granted.

I will just forward this to all my frequent visitors. Anyone of you can grab this.

Birthday Get Together

I spent my birthday with a good memory. Majority all of my friends came. Just sad to say some of the friends who couldn't make it because their children were sick so they need to stay home and took care of their kids. I wish all could have come so it could be much merrier. But I was happy to see who came. It was all about talk and laughters. I was kind of exhausted with the days of preparation so my adrenaline was kind of low. I got the energy from my friends. It's another year of a good memory. It surely is for keeps.

3-in-1

The night was so cold yesterday. I arrived with my husband at Suzzy's place past 6:30pm. It got hot with all the girls there. The night was so colorful with the laughter and cheers. These girls were just amazing. It's like you can get no problem hanging out with them. They are the coolest.

The party started with the delicious food cooked by the host and food brought by the guests. It was good. We just begun it with a talk and later Pacquiao's fight with Dela Hoya. The scream and cheers just exploded. I believed our voices can be heard a block away. I wondered what could the neighbors think about us.

We followed by an exchange gifts. Majority all of us participated. Everyone was happy with the gift. I was happy with what I got. It's a little fountain decor and fleece blanket. It perfectly fit me. I love fountain and blanket for the cold. I hate being cold. Anyway, it was a good thing to start an early Christmas spirit.

Last but not the least, the celebrant that was so blooming. An expected mother for the second time opened her gifts with delight. I had captured every moment of her time. I love taking pictures and I like taking it with people that I know and comfortable with. People are just so addicted with camera.

It was a great time to be with friends. I can't wait til another party which I will be hosting. 2 weeks from now hoping it will be a blast.

Baby Party

My friends from San Jose organized a baby shower for Myrabel. The party started at 5pm. Joey dropped me past 5 and I saw Lyn at the door with her baby while Joy and Lalai we're still preparing. I saw Lyn holding a very nice camera. So nice of her to have such a good gadget. I know one day I can have mine too. Anyway, Lalai toured me her place. It's a good price for the size of the apartment. I think it could be bigger than the duplex unit we will going to move next week. I just like in our unit because it has it's washer and dryer and garage. A bit pricey too for an old unit but at least we can get out from the apartment we are living now. Anyway, back to the party. It was a good one. I had seen old faces and close friends. I had a good time hearing, talking, exchanging laughters with all of them. It's so good to attend a party where you can get a very good laugh.

There are pictures in the party that I edited. It's lucky I don't have so much packing to do so I have the time to edit some. Here are the outcome: