It's All About Respect (also on Facebook)

CJ and I went to the Philippine Consulate General in L.A. today. We arrived there at around 2:30 pm, took a number - which happened to be number 889 - and waited for our turn. The moment we sat down to wait, they announced the next number, "774." Sheesh. All we could hope for was that we'd be called on time (they close at 5). Maybe some of you are already thinking, "Well duh, you should have gone there first thing in the morning." But I won't apologize for not being there at 9am or earlier, for several reasons: First, we did make it on time, and had our business there settled. Second, people that had numbers just before us were there at 9 or 10am, and they had to spend their whole day at the consular office WAITING (They had a TV, but all it showed was how to correctly fill out application forms). We even heard some people comment that it would have been better if they arrived there in the afternoon. And last but not the least, we came there right at the perfect time - we were able to witness dual citizenship applicants take their oath. In the middle of calling numbers and names, the office made an announcement, "All dual-citizenship applicants stand by the flag to take your oath." There were about 10 of them, more or less, that stood by the flag, which was at the very same room where people like me were waiting for their turn to be called. As a consular officer led the people in taking their oath, CJ noticed that there were applicants that weren't even reciting the oath; they just stared blankly at the piece of paper they were reading and swearing by. Also too, as the consular officer led the applicants, "Repeat after me...I, state your name." "Number 819. 819. 820. 820," you can here at the background the numbers as they were being called and the indiscreet chatter of people among themselves or of people on their cellphones as they have been waiting for quite some time now. I remember a friend of mine just took her U.S. citizenship last year and was telling me the part about taking their oath - how beautiful it was, how meaningful it was, how emotional it was. I'm not sure what prompted these 10 individuals that I saw today to take their dual citizenship - maybe for property ownership, maybe for business ownership (although this may present significant tax implications). I know people take their U.S. citizenship primarily because this land presents better opportunities for them - despite the downturn in the economy - and probably people cherish their U.S. citizenship oath because this oath brings them a hope of abundance, a hope of success, a hope of a future. But for whatever reason people apply for their dual citizenship, I think our country deserves a little bit more respect. It should be a lot more than just a piece of paper you sign, or a fee that you have to pay - and it should be treated significantly both by the people applying for it and also by the people that are issuing and administering it. And I do admire the work of the Philippine consulate. Especially the one in Los Angeles. Especially that their office is the only Philippine consulate office that handles the states of California, Arizona, Nevada and Texas. And although people might find some fault in their system and put the blame on them why people don't pay much attention to things like oath-taking - all I wanted is for us Filipinos, in general, to treat our country with a little more dignity, with a little more respect. And again not only with how we treat our own country, but also with how we treat others. It's easy to be conscious about racism; to not offend others; but it is harder making sure that we are not being a racist towards our own country. Because come to think of it, racism is about one thing and one thing alone - disrespect.

Tip of the Day

I discovered something good yet really healthy today - Panera bread's Baked Potato soup.

http://www.panerabread.com/menu/cafe/soups.php

It's just perfect for this cold-weather season, and perfect as well for those trying to lose their extra pounds from the holidays.

The only thing from the website though is that they have a different soup schedule than what they have on their stores (they have the the Baked Potato soup T-Th-S).

Fundraising Event this Sunday for the Smokey Mountain community

The warmest Christmas greetings to all!  

For those of you living or will be in the immediate Inland Empire, Los Angeles and Orange counties in Southern California (or if you have any relatives or friends within the area), we are hosting a fundraising event this coming Sunday, December 14, at 7:00 pm, at St. Paul the Apostle Church in Chino Hills, California. This will be a fundraising event for the benefit of the Smokey Mountain community in the Philippines.  

The event will feature a serenade of songs by the Good News Chorale, a special number by special guest Sylvia La Torre, and a project presentation by Fr. Ben Beltran, SVD - parish priest of the Smokey Mountain community.  

The event is free and food will be served, but offering plates will be passed for those who would like to take part in supporting the Smokey Mountain community with their donations.  

Again, we wish you the warmest greetings this season and our prayers go out to everyone for a blessed Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

What did you want, as a kid, to be when you grow up?

Do you remember what you said as a kid that you wanted to do when you grow up? I remember at least three of my own. At one point I wanted to be a baker because I ate bread so good that I wanted to make one myself. Another one was that I wanted to be a cop, because I didn't want to get married. Lastly, at some point I also wanted to be a priest (and to be honest I had thoughts of this also when I was already a grown up, sometime in high school).

We do have a lot of dreams and aspirations for ourselves. Some of us are fortunate enough to stick to our original plan from way back when; most of us do not have the chance to do so. What happened to the baker/cop/priest? Well he was at first a mortgage underwriter, then he rose up the ranks on a health supplement company.

Indeed, we do have a lot of plans, big or small, than don't actually come through. I want this as my first car. This is the job that I want. I want to end up with this person. We will be together by this time and date. I want to live independently. I want to get rid of my debt. I want to lose weight.

And yet, even if we make a lot of plans that don't actually push through, there is at least one plan that will definitely push through - the Lord's plan for your life. And yes, my dear friend, He has a plan for you. He has given a lot of thought about you and a lot of care for you that He has spent all this time trying to map out your life so that you may live and grow in His love, even if we're still here on this earth. And whether we accept His will or not, we do know that sooner or later, His will for our life will unfold, right before our very eyes.

Now that we've realized that the Lord has a good, pleasing, and perfect plan for each one of us and after realizing as well that His will for you will come true no matter what, imagine if at one point in your life, you can clearly hear Him speaking to you about His plan for you - what He wants you to do, what He wants you to be, and where He wants to take you.

I've gone through this at least once in my life. The Lord spoke to me loudly and clearly about His will for my life. It is exciting because I am able to paint a picture of myself as I am years from now - like I did when I was young with the baker, with the cop, or with the priest. The only difference is that at this time, I am certain, more than ever, that this will exactly come true.

Years have passed since this experience happened. I am completely not there where He wants me to be. What I'm doing is way, way different from what He wants me to do. But today He spoke to me again. He reminded me of that time He spoke to me originally. He reminded me that He has a good, pleasing, and perfect plan for my life. And this time, He kinda nudged me more that it's about time to get myself back on track - to follow His will for my life.

"For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you; plans to give you a hope and a future.

You didn't get enough sleep, you're tired, you don't feel well...what do you do?

1. What do you say most when you're trying not to curse?
what the bleep bleep is that (or nah i actually just go ahead and cuss...haha)

2. Do You Own An Ipod?
yeah

3. What Person On Your Top 8 on Myspace Do You Talk To The Most?
i don't remember who my top 8 is (i don't even think i have one)

4. What Time Is Your Alarm Clock Set To?
if i did this morning, it would have been 10:30 am. hanep. haha.

5. Do You Want To Fall In Love?
corey from hell's kitchen. haha.

6. Do You Wear Flip-Flops When It's Cold?

pag lalaki ba flip flops din? basta, i even go to work wearing sandals. hanep talaga. hehe

7. Would You Rather Take The Picture Or Be In The Picture?
take the picture

8. What Was The Last Movie You Watched?
uh i forget basta a documentary sa youtube

9. Do Any Of Your Friends Have Children?
uh huh

10. Has Anyone Ever Called You Lazy?
they don't have to. i already know that. haha.

11. Do You Ever Take Medication To Help You Fall Asleep?
theraflu flu and sore throat (yung apple cinammon flavor). the best. makes you sleep for at least 7-8 hours, then you feel really good when you wake up. para bang there's this blissful feeling, not a care in the world. hehehe.

12. Do You Prefer Regular Or Chocolate Milk?
chocolate na lang, i don't drink milk.

13. Has Anyone Told You A Secret This Week?
hmmm i guess? i know i did tell someone a secret this week. hehehe. :P

14. When Was The Last Time You Had Starbucks?
yesterday, when i had my car serviced. they had this really cool, authentic, starbucks coffee press (although oo nga noh, it's possible yung actual coffee hindi) but yeah, i want one of those!

15. Can You Whistle?
uh huh

16. Do You Have A Trampoline In Your Back Yard?
meron. jumped on it. broke it. wala na. haha.

17. Do You Think People Talk About You Behind Your Back?
a lot of people do. ang laki ng back ko eh.

19. Did You Watch Cartoons As A Child?
aba, lalo na nung college ako - crayon shin chan

20. What Movie Do You Know Every Line To?
wala. i'm not good at memorizing movie lines. nor actors and actresses' names. nor phone numbers. nor birthdays. but plate numbers yeah. hehe

23. Do You Own Any Band T-Shirts?
hmmm i don't think so

24. What Is Your Favorite Salad Dressing?
dress it up with reynolds wrap. coz i don't like it.

25. Is anyone in love with you?
aba of course! hahaha!

26. Do You Do Your Own Dishes?
my favorite household chore.

27. Ever Cry In Public?
burol (of course someone i'm close to)

30. Do you think you could ever be in love?
of course. ngayon nga eh, corey of hell's kitchen. hehehe

31. Would You Ever Date Anyone Covered In Tattoos?
i don't think so. eh kasi naman - COVERED.

32. What Did You Do Before This?
ate ice cream :D freagin' one million degrees here.

33. When Was The Last Time You Slept On The Floor?
ooh haha i vividly remember that time. i went home, no key to the house, no garage door opener. madaling araw na nun and it was winter. no one was at home coz they went to vegas. i didn't want to sleep sa car because i was kinda scared na people might see me and they might nab or kidnap me or something. so, haha, winter + cemented floor....go figure. and yeah, i had to sleep on it. grabbed as many blankets as i could from the garage, but it just wasn't enough. haha, naawa nga ako sa sarili ko. now i know how the people sleeping sa may freeway exit feel...yun bang yung lamig nanunuot sa katawan mo. haha, kawawang norman.

34. How Many Hours Of Sleep Do You Need To Function?
7 siguro at least. kasi kagabi 6 lang tingnan mo, nagbloblog na lang ako. hahaha. 

35. Do you eat breakfast daily?
nope. if there was sinangag everyday then i would.

36. Are Your Days Full And Fast Paced?
yeah pretty much

37. What are you doing right now?
aside from this? trying to download an online game.

38. Do you use sarcasm?
not much. i'm pretty straightforward (but i try to hold it as much as possible. medyo patience person ako. haha).

39. Have You Ever Been In A Fight?
uh huh

40. Are You Picky About Spelling And Grammar?
very much (so sorry if i do that!)

41. Have You Ever Been To Six Flags?
six flabs.

41. Have you ever got beaten up?
no

42. Do you like Rain or Sun?
rain

43. Do You Get Along Better With The Same Sex Or The Opposite?
uhm pretty much everyone (naks!)

44. Do you like mustard?
nope

45. Do You Sleep On Your Side, Stomach, Or Back?
i don't know, what i'm sure off is that my shirt is up, my face and my tummy has scratches, and even my pillow is undressed (and my comforter is on the floor).

46. Do You Watch The news?
yup. kinda geeky about that.

47. How Did You Get One Of Your Scars?
when i started to get bed bug bites.

48. Who Was The Last Person To Make You Mad?
kobe bryant. pau gasol. lamar odom. and the rest.

49. Do you like anyone?
kulit. corey nga eh. hehehe.

50. What Is The Last Thing You Purchased?
ice creammmmmmmm :D

For people wanting to write but wouldn't know what to write about...

Random thoughts for the day:

1. There are really friends, despite the distance, that know you inside and out. These are the ones that remain lifetime friends, and they truly are the ones that care about you.

2. There are still a lot of kind-hearted people in this world. There's still hope.

3. Family first.

4. There's no way but up. And yes, there is a God.

5. I know I have to learn to really start doing things for myself, and work my way around my own priorities and values, around my own hopes and dreams. I just can't. But days like this allow me to really learn and appreciate that.

6. I really don't know what's with you but yeah, you really are something.

7. And I really don't know what's with this other person but you really are a HELL of a person.

8. I know it's hard for some to grasp the situation, which then makes it dificult for them to be understanding and considerate in light of where I am right now.

9. I appreciate the gift of people; I appreciate the small talks; I appreciate the little opportunity to both commune and communicate.

And finally...

10. Go Lakers!

Politicians...

Politicians are just like diapers - you need to change them every so often. And you change them like diapers for similar reasons.