Haha. I was thinking a while ago about what I was wearing. A duster/daster... (well, I'll write it the way I say it!). Yes, the baclaran/divisoria hit that makes almost all middle class matrons feel like it is their best friend. My sister Treena always says that she will never be caught dead wearing one, and she resorts to her nighties worn even during the day... (ha, same thing, only hers is silk!:P). But is it that makes me and other moms feel they are paralyzed once they step out of the house wearing the deadly D anyway? And why do I still continue to wear such horrendous, figure unflattering tents? Here's my not so intelligent analysis of it...
Dasters somehow give a real portrait of the Filipino matron. Losyang, ika nga. Yes, I am guilty of that. Like my mother, when I get home in my skinny jeans and my pale attempt to look hot in a sexy top, the first thing that comes to my mind is COMFORT. I am one of those who are obsessive compulsive about their beds, I never lie on mine unless I wear something fresh and clean. And because I am tired from the outside world trying to make porma, I choose to pull out something that is loose, clean and comfortable. With one piece, I am decent and covered up to my calves, unlike shorts and shirt, I have to wear a bra, put on my shorts that don't even close when I'm full (which is all the time)!! So I guess the daster is something we choose to turn to....
Yes, a Filipino matron has many facets. One of them portrayed in many movies, a yelling wife to an inebriate and infidel husband, one that uses rollers for their hair but never takes them off and a newspaper for whacking flies and disobedient children. Something of a caricature... ridiculously funny but creepily true... And the daster is a reminder of some of us about our own personal household dramas that we don't dare share with anybody. Something to be kept in the baul of our memories, unearthed only in our nightmares (or when a gun is already pointing at our heads)
Another point to observe is that everyone, even the Catholic Church who is all about simplicity and meekness reminds us wives to look beautiful and presentable for our spouses, and so where does the daster fit in the picture? The daster that has no glamor, is billowy and totally tacky with the lapu lapu prints and the gumamelas and the tie-dyes that even killed Woodstock (or Victor Wood)? Come to think of it, it does take away whatever attempts we have in trying to look like a Heidi Klum or an Angelina Jolie.... and maybe that's the cause of husbands' cheating, I don't know.... and in some situations, maybe it's the daster's fault that husbands tend to look the other way at some sexy and bodacious babe... maybe....
But then you can't blame the daster, you know. For all its lack of visual presentation and possible causes of marital woes, it can also compensate for a happy, contented wife, and a flexible mother, braving the domestic challenges such as cooking, playing with kids, cleaning, etc. For me, the gumamelas and the tie-dyes also remind me to relax not just my body but also my mind, to believe that in a very small part of this world, I can just be myself, no false appearances, no porma, no nothing, and concentrate on other things... When I'm in one, no, I may not step out of the house, but come to think of it, heck, maybe I should, because no matter how beautifully made up and polished I want to look in front of people, I am also real, imperfect but happy and contented in a comfortable kind of way. I mean, after all, I AM a Filipino matron... (but I'll save the rollers for special occasions...)
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
A Not So Typical Valentine's Celebration Part 2
Sorry for that...bitin ba?
Anwyay, we were at the Siem Reap Airport, which seemed to represent the mood of the whole place, quiet and tranquil. What a small but beautiful airport that was! I felt our own domestic airport was miles away from theirs in terms of cleanliness, and professionalism... ahem.
Rod decided to book Mr. Lee Ann for the day. We first went to the hot air balloon place. Going there in our airconditioned camry was such a beautiful experience. We could feel the heat intensify outside, but we were distracted by the many beautiful trees in Siem Reap. Watching the tuk tuks, motorcycles and the bicycles under the centuries old trees was a memory to keep forever.
Our hot air balloon ride was $15 each, which shocked Rod since his last information it was only $10 (how prices change so quickly). We rode with some Asian tourists, and I had a tickly feeling in my tummy! The balloon ride was just vertical, only to view Siem Reap from around 100 feet above. We enjoyed it, though. The vastness of the Angkor Wat was breathtaking... how could they build an efficient water system that long ago? And then the famous Phnom Bakeng could also be seen.
After pictures were taken, at around 10 am (Cambodian time but 11 our time), we ate in a restaurant near Angkor Wat. Mr. Lee recommended it to us. These restaurants are like hawkers that are arranged in one array and it's up to you to choose which adventure you'd like. But they're all the same... I ordered my beef loc lac, which Rod chose a more western meal. Well, it was ok. But the fanta was fantastic! Haha. One tip you should always remember is that you always have to hydrate yourself in Cambodia. And a little sweetness in your liquids won't hurt...
Before going to Angkor Thom, the biggest city in Siem Reap, I bought myself a simple but practical souvenir- a hat! Of course the vendor was trying really hard to jack up the price with $4, I bought it for $2 (drat, I should have haggled my first price at $.50). It was a very helpful souvenir since the heat in Cambodia was scorching, but I looked like a die hard Cambodia tourist.
We got to Angkor Thom's South Gate, and already, Rod and I had our mouths open with the careful detail of the arrays of gods and demons greeting us. (I chose to pose with the demons, like attracts like?) My husband's eyes were getting white again, and he was in a picture-taking trance. I, on the other hand, posed willingly for him. Nothing beats seeing posing for a happy husband, right?
Bayon was a stunner... Many enigmatic faces that in your mind you are wondering how on earth could they build such structures! I posed trying to kiss one enigmatic face, but my chin was protruding.... I got lazy to
Anwyay, we were at the Siem Reap Airport, which seemed to represent the mood of the whole place, quiet and tranquil. What a small but beautiful airport that was! I felt our own domestic airport was miles away from theirs in terms of cleanliness, and professionalism... ahem.
Rod decided to book Mr. Lee Ann for the day. We first went to the hot air balloon place. Going there in our airconditioned camry was such a beautiful experience. We could feel the heat intensify outside, but we were distracted by the many beautiful trees in Siem Reap. Watching the tuk tuks, motorcycles and the bicycles under the centuries old trees was a memory to keep forever.
Our hot air balloon ride was $15 each, which shocked Rod since his last information it was only $10 (how prices change so quickly). We rode with some Asian tourists, and I had a tickly feeling in my tummy! The balloon ride was just vertical, only to view Siem Reap from around 100 feet above. We enjoyed it, though. The vastness of the Angkor Wat was breathtaking... how could they build an efficient water system that long ago? And then the famous Phnom Bakeng could also be seen.
After pictures were taken, at around 10 am (Cambodian time but 11 our time), we ate in a restaurant near Angkor Wat. Mr. Lee recommended it to us. These restaurants are like hawkers that are arranged in one array and it's up to you to choose which adventure you'd like. But they're all the same... I ordered my beef loc lac, which Rod chose a more western meal. Well, it was ok. But the fanta was fantastic! Haha. One tip you should always remember is that you always have to hydrate yourself in Cambodia. And a little sweetness in your liquids won't hurt...
Before going to Angkor Thom, the biggest city in Siem Reap, I bought myself a simple but practical souvenir- a hat! Of course the vendor was trying really hard to jack up the price with $4, I bought it for $2 (drat, I should have haggled my first price at $.50). It was a very helpful souvenir since the heat in Cambodia was scorching, but I looked like a die hard Cambodia tourist.
We got to Angkor Thom's South Gate, and already, Rod and I had our mouths open with the careful detail of the arrays of gods and demons greeting us. (I chose to pose with the demons, like attracts like?) My husband's eyes were getting white again, and he was in a picture-taking trance. I, on the other hand, posed willingly for him. Nothing beats seeing posing for a happy husband, right?
Bayon was a stunner... Many enigmatic faces that in your mind you are wondering how on earth could they build such structures! I posed trying to kiss one enigmatic face, but my chin was protruding.... I got lazy to
Saturday, February 21, 2009
God Listens
I had been a little bit down for some time. You see, I took a leave of absence from my teaching job last year, a privilege I made use of. My reason was because I had to finish my thesis. I had been taking my MA for almost seven years now, from Special Education, to getting units for my license, to shifting to Reading (good choice for me). Anyway, that was only one of the reasons why I took my leave. I felt my daughter Ava needed me. And I guess I was right.
2008-2009 was a year for me with no income. Also for some reason, my tutorial stints were short-lived, and I personally had to face financial powerlessness (well, teaching is a noble profession, it' s the fulfillment that is the compensation, believe me). But this year proved to be very productive, nevertheless. I got myself a cheap but reliable lap top, a sewing machine, a few personal items, and even got to travel! I maybe lucky in that aspect, and I realized that God really protects and gives me what I need, not more, and not less.
I told my school I want to go back to teach, but the moment I did that I knew it was not right. I reluctantly accepted the full time post that was open for me. But I did it with a heavy heart. I knew that it was not fair to Ava. As her mother (I don't want to be praning), I thought I still need to be with her constantly, as I have to put her as my top priority above all. I received a lot of opinions regarding the matter. Sayang my discount for Ava when she starts going to school, Ava's big already, what about my financial power, et. al. For about a month, I had been, unknowingly, suffering from a mild case of depression (I use this loosely, though). I felt that I was dreading the month of May, leaving Ava with a heavy heart as I go back to my 7-4 job, feeling guilty for not taking care of her when my whole heart was telling me she's my priority.
Anyway, yesterday was my lowest point. As I was pushing her stroller, I thought to myself that going back to my school for 8 hours, 5 days a week was wrong, but I was too scared to tell my superiors that I made the wrong decision. I really prayed, with tears in my eyes, for God to take over, as He always has, and tell me what to do. I even told my best friend (who kept encouraging me to resign if it was not making me happy anymore) that night. And I prayed really hard. Because I did want to earn a little, not let go of Ava's future scholarship, but I also wanted more time with her.
That night I talked to my husband, and I really opened up my feelings and concerns. He was very supportive. This morning, I got news from a co-teacher that she was not interested anymore in a teaching position that was open to part time employees. I realized that was my window of opportunity!!!! I immediately called our principal (my good friend, God bless her!) and we talked, and it was a win-win situation after all....!! I mean, I could spend more time with Ava, but go back to teaching, and finish my thesis all at the same time!!!!
Well, the point of my story is this: I had been an idiot for some time, being anxious and worried about the future, about guilt, about being financially empty, everything, but not once did I think that God was with me even during these trying times. I mean, really. How dumb was I to think that God didn't listen to my heart's longings? Right?
I guess God has His way of showing me how much He loves me. It's just up to me to acknowledge....
2008-2009 was a year for me with no income. Also for some reason, my tutorial stints were short-lived, and I personally had to face financial powerlessness (well, teaching is a noble profession, it' s the fulfillment that is the compensation, believe me). But this year proved to be very productive, nevertheless. I got myself a cheap but reliable lap top, a sewing machine, a few personal items, and even got to travel! I maybe lucky in that aspect, and I realized that God really protects and gives me what I need, not more, and not less.
I told my school I want to go back to teach, but the moment I did that I knew it was not right. I reluctantly accepted the full time post that was open for me. But I did it with a heavy heart. I knew that it was not fair to Ava. As her mother (I don't want to be praning), I thought I still need to be with her constantly, as I have to put her as my top priority above all. I received a lot of opinions regarding the matter. Sayang my discount for Ava when she starts going to school, Ava's big already, what about my financial power, et. al. For about a month, I had been, unknowingly, suffering from a mild case of depression (I use this loosely, though). I felt that I was dreading the month of May, leaving Ava with a heavy heart as I go back to my 7-4 job, feeling guilty for not taking care of her when my whole heart was telling me she's my priority.
Anyway, yesterday was my lowest point. As I was pushing her stroller, I thought to myself that going back to my school for 8 hours, 5 days a week was wrong, but I was too scared to tell my superiors that I made the wrong decision. I really prayed, with tears in my eyes, for God to take over, as He always has, and tell me what to do. I even told my best friend (who kept encouraging me to resign if it was not making me happy anymore) that night. And I prayed really hard. Because I did want to earn a little, not let go of Ava's future scholarship, but I also wanted more time with her.
That night I talked to my husband, and I really opened up my feelings and concerns. He was very supportive. This morning, I got news from a co-teacher that she was not interested anymore in a teaching position that was open to part time employees. I realized that was my window of opportunity!!!! I immediately called our principal (my good friend, God bless her!) and we talked, and it was a win-win situation after all....!! I mean, I could spend more time with Ava, but go back to teaching, and finish my thesis all at the same time!!!!
Well, the point of my story is this: I had been an idiot for some time, being anxious and worried about the future, about guilt, about being financially empty, everything, but not once did I think that God was with me even during these trying times. I mean, really. How dumb was I to think that God didn't listen to my heart's longings? Right?
I guess God has His way of showing me how much He loves me. It's just up to me to acknowledge....
Thursday, February 19, 2009
A Not So Typical Valentine's Celebration Part 1
Okay, so here I am writing again. Cannot resist. Anyway, my husband is a very simple and private person. Do not ask me how he proposed, but let's just say, if you're a girl who loves the works, scattering of petals and a fanfare, accept him through thick and thin! But there are just some things that he will not compromise, and one of them is traveling.
My husband gave me the best honeymoon one could ask for- a trip to Europe. But I don't want to talk about that now, I'll do that in another post. But valentine's day, a day he does not believe in ("Valentine's is just a marketing strategy!") cannot be more memorable than this one....
Here is a detailed account of our trip to Siem Reap, via Cambodia. Some tips here and there, too.
PRE-PLANNING STAGES
Of course, I had nothing to do with Rod's itinerary. Everything we did was according to his plan. It takes months for my hubby to plan a trip. Sometimes he goes grumpy or frustrated because I don't get to help him out. But one thing to remember when my hubby plans trips, he is like a character from Heroes whose eyes go white and starts painting beyond his control. He is like that, and for many reasons I have become spoiled and ask me anything about making itineraries, I just shrug, hehe.
We decided to take 5 days, and 4 nights, and the most economical way to do this is to ride Air Asia. It had the cheapest flights to Kuala Lumpur and then to Siem Reap (we should have a direct flight!!!!).
With the wise decision to leave our daughter to my mother's able hands, we packed our stuff and headed for the Clarke Field Airport, Pampanga.
Day 1 - Thursday
Clarke Field Airport is much smaller than our domestic airport here in Metro Manila, but I don't want to think that that is the reason for their being more organized. Our flight was at 11:30 am, and Rod was wise enough to order food for us in the plane. By the way, if you have not ridden a no-frills flight, you'll be surprised to see that there is no food included in the low fares. And Air Asia in particular has seats on a first come, first served basis. But surprisingly, people line up and are not so greedy when it comes to getting seats.
Rod ordered a Nasi Lemak and a Nasi Briyani. Of course the spicier one went to me, and so we had to buy a small bottle of water, which caused us USD3.00 drat! That's P150 in the Philippines for a small, 5 gulps worth of water... No choice, though...
After our 4 hour flight, we arrived at the Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT) in Kuala Lumpur and took a bus to the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). I admit it was pretty hectic in LCCT because these no-frills flights have so many of them and I believe are doing very well finding its market niche. So impressed was I that I thought, what if I owned an airline like this?
Anyway, we got to KLIA to ride the shuttle to our "transit hotel", the Concorde Inn. Well, the Concorde Inn is what you expect it to be, a budgeted hotel serving its purpose. So with only a few hours left (we had to wake up the next morning at 3:30 for our 7:30 am flight to Siem Reap), we took the train to get to KL Central. And that was a good experience, seeing green all around....We saw Putra Jaya and some other buildings, and realized that we are far behind already, with Malaysia's progress....
KL Central was not a very good experience for me, though. Maybe because I was tired, but there were just too many people in the train... We hopped off in KLCC Suria (they are all kl this and that it was quite confusing!) and marveled at the overwhelming Petronas Towers... the pride of Kuala Lumpur!! Rod, the camera man and the sights addict was so upset he couldn't get a decent picture of the towers in the afternoon (Sunset in KL is at around 7). And so we ate in a lovely restaurant called Madam Kwan's inside the Suria KLCC Mall, something Malaysian. Rod ordered Nasi Lemak (my hubby is not a foodie), and I was brave enough to order almost the same thing, but with prawns! Yummy, we were both so hungry we finished our food right away. By the way Malaysian food for us is not too expensive. Pretty okay for the ambience and all. After, we got ourselves some ice cream (you need it to get rid of the aftertaste) and went around going inside the mall's shops.
I wanted to shop some more but Rod and I had to see the lovely Petronas in its magnificence... So illuminating at night!!!! Rod took many pictures of the famous sight, while I enjoyed a hot but quiet night at the mall's park.
We rode the metro rail back to the International Airport and rode the shuttle back to Concorde Inn, where we packed and slept the few hours we had...
Day 2 - Friday
It was 4 in the morning when we ate a very simple breakfast at Concorde Inn. We were still groggy but quite excited to head for Siem Reap, our main destination. We booked a taxi the day before and spent around 7 rm for the long trip to LCC Terminal, which was so busy in the morning already. Air Asia is really quite impressive...
With the time difference we got an extra hour in Siem Reap. And the first thing we did was book a taxi to get to our hotel, Somadevi. Incidentally, Rod availed of a low price in Somadevi, I can't complain with its good facilities and breakfast, for only$40... really good price. We were ready to brave the heat in Cambodia riding the tuk tuks but the comfort that we found in our taxi possessed us to book our tours with our driver, Mr. Lee Ann (very nice man). For an extra $ 10, we were willing to forego adventure and thriftiness, because the Camry seats were heaven every time.
to be continued.....
My husband gave me the best honeymoon one could ask for- a trip to Europe. But I don't want to talk about that now, I'll do that in another post. But valentine's day, a day he does not believe in ("Valentine's is just a marketing strategy!") cannot be more memorable than this one....
Here is a detailed account of our trip to Siem Reap, via Cambodia. Some tips here and there, too.
PRE-PLANNING STAGES
Of course, I had nothing to do with Rod's itinerary. Everything we did was according to his plan. It takes months for my hubby to plan a trip. Sometimes he goes grumpy or frustrated because I don't get to help him out. But one thing to remember when my hubby plans trips, he is like a character from Heroes whose eyes go white and starts painting beyond his control. He is like that, and for many reasons I have become spoiled and ask me anything about making itineraries, I just shrug, hehe.
We decided to take 5 days, and 4 nights, and the most economical way to do this is to ride Air Asia. It had the cheapest flights to Kuala Lumpur and then to Siem Reap (we should have a direct flight!!!!).
With the wise decision to leave our daughter to my mother's able hands, we packed our stuff and headed for the Clarke Field Airport, Pampanga.
Day 1 - Thursday
Clarke Field Airport is much smaller than our domestic airport here in Metro Manila, but I don't want to think that that is the reason for their being more organized. Our flight was at 11:30 am, and Rod was wise enough to order food for us in the plane. By the way, if you have not ridden a no-frills flight, you'll be surprised to see that there is no food included in the low fares. And Air Asia in particular has seats on a first come, first served basis. But surprisingly, people line up and are not so greedy when it comes to getting seats.
Rod ordered a Nasi Lemak and a Nasi Briyani. Of course the spicier one went to me, and so we had to buy a small bottle of water, which caused us USD3.00 drat! That's P150 in the Philippines for a small, 5 gulps worth of water... No choice, though...
After our 4 hour flight, we arrived at the Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT) in Kuala Lumpur and took a bus to the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). I admit it was pretty hectic in LCCT because these no-frills flights have so many of them and I believe are doing very well finding its market niche. So impressed was I that I thought, what if I owned an airline like this?
Anyway, we got to KLIA to ride the shuttle to our "transit hotel", the Concorde Inn. Well, the Concorde Inn is what you expect it to be, a budgeted hotel serving its purpose. So with only a few hours left (we had to wake up the next morning at 3:30 for our 7:30 am flight to Siem Reap), we took the train to get to KL Central. And that was a good experience, seeing green all around....We saw Putra Jaya and some other buildings, and realized that we are far behind already, with Malaysia's progress....
KL Central was not a very good experience for me, though. Maybe because I was tired, but there were just too many people in the train... We hopped off in KLCC Suria (they are all kl this and that it was quite confusing!) and marveled at the overwhelming Petronas Towers... the pride of Kuala Lumpur!! Rod, the camera man and the sights addict was so upset he couldn't get a decent picture of the towers in the afternoon (Sunset in KL is at around 7). And so we ate in a lovely restaurant called Madam Kwan's inside the Suria KLCC Mall, something Malaysian. Rod ordered Nasi Lemak (my hubby is not a foodie), and I was brave enough to order almost the same thing, but with prawns! Yummy, we were both so hungry we finished our food right away. By the way Malaysian food for us is not too expensive. Pretty okay for the ambience and all. After, we got ourselves some ice cream (you need it to get rid of the aftertaste) and went around going inside the mall's shops.
I wanted to shop some more but Rod and I had to see the lovely Petronas in its magnificence... So illuminating at night!!!! Rod took many pictures of the famous sight, while I enjoyed a hot but quiet night at the mall's park.
We rode the metro rail back to the International Airport and rode the shuttle back to Concorde Inn, where we packed and slept the few hours we had...
Day 2 - Friday
It was 4 in the morning when we ate a very simple breakfast at Concorde Inn. We were still groggy but quite excited to head for Siem Reap, our main destination. We booked a taxi the day before and spent around 7 rm for the long trip to LCC Terminal, which was so busy in the morning already. Air Asia is really quite impressive...
With the time difference we got an extra hour in Siem Reap. And the first thing we did was book a taxi to get to our hotel, Somadevi. Incidentally, Rod availed of a low price in Somadevi, I can't complain with its good facilities and breakfast, for only$40... really good price. We were ready to brave the heat in Cambodia riding the tuk tuks but the comfort that we found in our taxi possessed us to book our tours with our driver, Mr. Lee Ann (very nice man). For an extra $ 10, we were willing to forego adventure and thriftiness, because the Camry seats were heaven every time.
to be continued.....
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