ienne's random thoughts

Boo-Boos Galore

2006-02-10T23:19:00.000-05:00

As a kid I can say I’ve had my share of embarrassing moments… a whole lot of it. Somehow I’ve always managed to make a fool out of myself… like the time my ice cream scoop plopped out of its cone during my first lick (imagine as I turned down my Mom’s offer to buy me a new one and convinced her instead that I liked the cone more than the ice cream—how lame!) and the time Gela and I were speculating about how Clive got so thin in a span of a few months and got caught talking about him (but we made up this horribly fake and lousy excuse—something like we loved his contact lens’ color-- wow of all things!). As I grew older I told myself this MUST stop. Unlike my childhood years I now find it hard to think of an answer to the mundane question of ‘What’s your most embarrassing moment?’ It would probably take me a while to think of something or make up a story... not anymore.

Well… this week proved to be full of boo-boos for everyone, including yours truly. I can’t say that the things that happened are embarrassing such that I want the ground to swallow me whole, but these definitely made me slap my forehead (D’oh!) and had me screaming in my mind to stop the recurring images. Do you get what I mean?! First off, I went to the gym yesterday. I’ve been going to this place, South Run, for a few months now. I see the same people and everything’s familiar by now. A week or two earlier the gym’s management decided to have the bathrooms switched because the women’s locker room needs to be repaired. At first I was proud of myself to take notice of the signs saying the bathrooms have been switched but yesterday my mind was preoccupied with something. As you might’ve guessed by now… I didn’t notice that the signs were gone already. I walked straight into the Men’s locker room!!! The bad part was that I went so far inside and shocked a guy in the process. You should have seen his face! Good thing he wasn’t naked… Thank God he wasn’t! Another bad thing was that the cardio machines were right by the Men’s locker room so everyone using the machines saw me—including my tita. Wow, thanks Tita Menchu for warning me…

Okay here goes another one… last Wednesday Paolo’s tito invited us for dinner at this Chinese restaurant, Dragon Sea Buffet, to accompany him and his friend. This friend of his turned out to be Coach Louie Alas, former Talk N Text coach and current coach of the reigning NCAA Champion Letran Knights. Thanks to this big guy I had a footstool the entire time we were there. You know when you’re sitting and your feet is a bit elevated such that it is resting on top of something? It’s because you’re stepping on something. In this case I was stepping on his humongous size 13 feet! For a big fellow renowned to yell at bigger boys from the NCAA, MBA and PBA (both players and fellow coaches) he didn’t utter a word. The thing that most embarrassed me was the fact that I tapped my feet to the beat of the Chinese music playing in the background—and the thought that he might think I was playing footsie! [Screaming in my mind now]

Oh well, the best way to deal with an embarrassing moment is to act like it never happened. I’ll probably go to Spring Hill or Wakefield to workout for now… and as for Coach Louie, he’s off to Texas then back to the Philippines in a week. Don’t think I’ll be seeing him again soon.

X.O.X.O.

I don't feel as bad because someone did something much worse than me.

In Tita Menchu's exercise class they had to do sit ups and crunches last Wednesday.

As they were mostly "mature" they had a hard time and were mostly quiet since they had to concentrate and focus on their task.

Their silence was eventually broken as someone let out a loud and long one in the middle of the session.

They were too shy to laugh it out and ended trying to keep a serious face out of courtesy to the old fart.

Hope this boo-boo jinx ends...

"Why are you here?"

2006-01-20T17:29:00.000-05:00

Here are three ways to answer this question:

a. “Because I am the next American Idol.”

The first two installments of the latest season of American Idol was shown this week and I enjoyed watching it. I love the first few episodes when they show the auditions of people from all over the United States. I even like it more than the last episodes. Although I admire the abilities and singing prowess of the last of the AI finalists I still would rather watch the funny moments during the auditions. I just love to laugh and Simon Cowell makes me laugh. He has the most tactless yet extremely funny remarks. I don’t think I’d be this interested in the show if it weren’t for him.

b. “Because we need to prepare for eternity.”

A friend of mine forwarded an interesting and inspiring article about Rick Warren, the author of The Purpose Driven Life. According to Mr. Warren, “We were made by God and for God, and until you figure that out, life isn’t going to make sense.” He also stated that life is a series of problems but there are always good things we can be thankful for. We should concentrate more on how we are (what drives us: possessions, popularity, guilt, or God’s purposes?) and learn how to deal with both bad and good. Bottomline: our life here is a means of preparing ourselves for the life that was promised to us by God. Let me know if you want a copy of the article.

c. “Me come from my house.”

This was what Christopher said when he came to the office. I don’t get it too.

911

2006-01-16T13:42:00.000-05:00

“Hello, 911. How may I help you?”

That was what I imagined the operator would say when you called 911.
Yesterday at church I had my first encounter with the United States’ paramedics.

Well, there’s always a first for everything. I’m real glad that it wasn’t for me or anyone dear to me.
Now that I think about it, it’s so amazing how things fall into place despite it being so senseless and chaotic.
My day started out slow. I didn’t feel like getting out of bed and the howling wind was luring me to close my eyes again. On the other hand, the thought of rushing in the bathroom and forgoing breakfast was enough to get my butt up and about.
I don’t know about you but I can’t really pay attention at mass when my head is spinning and my tummy is grumbling.
So anyway, I hurried up like so although we ended up leaving late still because Tito Jojo took so long to dress up. (Aside from that he figured he wouldn’t go with us anymore. Rather, he would go to Springfield and meet up with Tita Nel.) The point being: we could’ve saved time if it hadn’t been for Tito Jojo (maybe?). So we rush to Tysons Corner where Tita Menchu, Tita Erma and the kids are waiting (they’ve been together the whole weekend for “Quality Time”) and they’re getting pretty anxious to have additional company. We’re running late for the noon mass by now. We get to Tysons’ at around 12:15pm and Tita Erma is already frantically searching the net where we can hear mass at 1pm. Turns out the next masses are in Spanish so we had to hurry up to catch the last English mass.

When we get to the church we stay at the back like all the latecomers. The kids are getting restless and noisy and Christopher fell down and cut his lip. I guess I should be glad that we arrived during the homily (because it could’ve been worse) but I’m getting frustrated because I can’t hear what the priest is saying. All of a sudden my usually low profile phone starts ringing. Who could be calling me? I’m not expecting any calls and no one really calls me now that I’m in the U.S. (hint hint) I rush outside and struggle to find my phone which is usually buried somewhere inside my purse. I’m so used to this happening that I’m pretty certain the call has been forwarded to my voice mail. But anyway I find my phone and answer the call. When I get back inside the church I can’t really concentrate anymore. All I can do is stare at this cute little baby who is smiling back at me. I wish my future kid would look just like her! My thoughts drift… then this man comes and asks if anyone has a phone. Thanks to the unexpected call my phone is right on the top where I can easily get it. He was desperate and everyone looked like “Huh??” I was already clutching my phone and he was starting to explain that this man sitting on the first few pews was drinking water and collapsed all of a sudden. The old man was unconscious already. I dial ‘911’ then realize I don’t know what to say to the operator so I quickly give him my phone. (Kakahiya nga eh… my phone’s new and some of the plastic cover/wrap is still on!—a trait of a real Pinoy!)

The response time was pretty fast. The ambulance arrived in less than 5 minutes (although I don’t know where they came from).
That’s not too bad right? I wonder what would’ve happened if we were in the Philippines? Mabubuhay pa kaya yung tao?

To make this (overly long) story short, the man was revived. I saw him stand up but he had to be carried away via stretcher. I would’ve wanted to see his face though… and I hope he’s doing okay. Who would imagine all the commotion leading up to this? The right and wrong decisions together resulting to my being at the right place at the right time.

Okay, no medals or pat on the back… and I didn’t get to talk to the 911 operator… but I was happy to help. How many chances like these does life give you? I’m lucky to have taken advantage of this opportunity. On the contrary, I’m thanking this man for paving the way for me to do a good deed. Afterwards I had this feeling inside of me… enough to keep me warm for the rest of this cold, cold day. And I’m more than fine with that.

“Me Like the Witch and Not the Lion”

2006-01-11T15:19:00.000-05:00

Just felt like sharing this….

Last December Paolo and I agreed to babysit his cousins (for the nth time). This time we had the honor of bringing the whole cast: 5 kids (one aged 42 starting last January 4 and the rest ranging from 10 to 3 years). Just kidding Tito Jojo—if ever you get to read this.

We planned to treat them to a movie and a pizza dinner afterwards. ‘The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe’ was showing that time so we decided to see that. I don’t think there were any other movies for kids so no choice din. The movie was good, entertaining enough to keep the kids still the entire time. (Of course, we also give credit to the super-duper sized Slurpee and mounds and mounds of popcorn.) I hardly recall the pizza dinner. It was over in a flash.

I didn’t get to examine if everyone got to eat enough pizza because the food was gone so fast and the kids all disappeared to the basement to watch TV.
The smallest one, Christopher, went up to me and said, “Me want to eat.” I asked him if he ate pizza earlier and he nodded his head. I knew Paolo gave him two slices and I couldn’t imagine this little boy getting hungry after chowing on that. Pizza slices here are humongous compared to those in the Philippines. “Did you finish the two slices of pizza?” I asked. He said, “Matu [Matthew] ate it.” Okay, the poor kid is hungry and I don’t think I can cook at 10 in the evening. Good thing he agreed to eat cereals and milk. Whew, saved by the colorful yet yummy rings of Fruit Loops!

It felt awkward to return to my reading while this boy was eating (with so much gusto). I decided to “entertain” him while he savors his delicious meal. I went on to ask him if he liked the movie and if he had a good time. His answers were mostly wordless. Maybe I was only pestering him? At one point he asked me if I watched the movie too! Hello?! Anyway, having not much to say to a hungry 3-year old I asked him the usual question of who he liked best in the movie. This was his most curious answer: “Me like the witch not the lion.” I thought he was confused so I explained to him that the lion and the children were the good guys and the witch is the "bad person." To this he just nodded. Again he said, “Me like the witch not the lion.” I sat there across him with a weird look on my face. He continued to eat what was the last of his second bowl. He must’ve sensed my desperate attempt to understand him as he continued on to say, “Me like the witch ‘cause the witch has boobies and the lion has none. Can I have more foot loops?”

Fresh*

2006-01-09T17:41:00.000-05:00

“Pardon me,” said the young man. I looked up from behind my desk at the library.
“How do I get on the computer?”
“Just tell us your name and wait,” I answered.
“Okay, it’s John,” he said, “125 pounds.”
-Lori Richardson

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I’ve been on the brink of clicking the ‘Delete Blog’ button

for some time now.
Did I make the right decision to post an entry instead?
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Hello 2006.
After 9 days into the year I’ve finally crossed over, I think.
Last year was good that I’m somewhat afraid to let it go.
Most of 2005 felt like a blank canvass I eagerly painted on.
A painter once told me that one of his biggest dilemmas was to know when to stop painting.
I feel ya, bro.
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The O.C. (Obsessive – Compulsive)
The search for a good planner / organizer is ongoing.

I cant’ believe how hard it is to look for a perfect one.

I’ve been to dozen of stores only to go home empty-handed.

Maybe I’m a bit too picky—why not?! I’ll be using it the whole year!!!

I want it to reflect fun and sophistication. Fun- because it should motivate me to plan my future. It should be interactive and not boring.

Sophisticated- because I ought to be just that.
I’ve been meaning to write lots of stuff already!

Where are the nice planners???

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So why did I not erase this blog?
Maybe I wanted to give it another chance… as everyone

deserves more than one.
Maybe this blog has more to it than I give it credit for.
As the new year begins I make it a part of my resolution to

update this blog more.
(Generate, put into writing and analyze such random thoughts.)
And like the quirky joke abovementioned, indulge more on laughter

—and watch my weight = P

Cheers!

Native Tongue and Virgin Snow

2005-11-23T23:08:00.000-05:00

So funny to realize how easily one can adapt to an environment. Before today I believed that it was a bunch of *crap* to not speak Tagalog clearly (as in diction and all) despite staying in a different country for a while… especially if you grew up in the Philippines. You will learn to develop the slang but your Tagalog should not change. Although I speak my native language regularly I was surprised when I heard myself. This morning I tried calling my aunt but she wasn't answering so I left her a voice message. The effect of my empty room and quiet surroundings isolated the sound of Ienne. It felt weird. I sounded awkward. Although I knew I could fix my diction, the opposite happened. I became conscious of myself, my Tagalog grew more unTagalog-like. How weirdly funny is that?

Today I saw a deer that was running through the trees on our side of the freeway. I saw the intricate details of its muscles and joints as it ran. It looked like it was running for its life. They said it’s lucky to see a deer.

Ever heard of a White Thanksgiving? White Christmas, yes.
Folks, we have a White Thanksgiving this 2005. People who have lived here for twenty years swore it hasn’t snowed by Thanksgiving, thus, making this a rare and beautiful event for most (but a hassle for those who fear shoveling and cleaning.) It was so beautiful! Rooftops and trees covered in white snow. The feeling of snowflakes dropping on your head, nose, fingertips…
Today turned out to be lucky indeed. I realized how very blessed I am.