As I am typing this blog, the countdown for the shuttle launch reads 12:34:14…and counting. I will just be one of the spectators who will be driving up northeast to see this once in a lifetime opportunity, but judging from my anxiety right now I felt like I am part of the crew. I just couldn’t sleep!
My husband and I have already prepared all the things that we need to bring since this morning. He actually made a checklist. We have all papers and tickets that NASA mailed to us few weeks before including an instruction advising us to double our travel time for traffic will be heavy on the way to the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral. And since normally it will take us two hours and fifty minutes to drive there, now we have to be on the road at 3 AM to be just in time for our parking time at 9 AM.
Me being so agile right now, I wonder what the seven-man crew is feeling at this time…at exactly 2 AM. At this point I don’t want to speculate. I just wish them the best on their trip in the outer space along with prayers for their safety. God speed Atlantis!
It rained today in Lakewood Ranch- something that I personally would have wanted to experience at home. But since it took place on a weekday, I was inside the hotel not even mindful that it was already pouring outside by mid-afternoon.
It was only until I stepped out of the building and walked across the parking lot that I realized that the Weather Channel was right. The whole time I was traipsing through the paved lot I thought I was glad I was wearing a skirt and flat shoes instead of long pants and heels. It had been an orientation from my Mother since I was little that when “you know it’s going to rain that day, never wear pants.” That had nothing to do with superstition or custom. That was just a matter of discipline that she had instilled in my character and had worked wonders on both sides actually. For one, I won’t have any soil on my clothes so I still looked tidy- and in turn, my clothes were easy for my mother to wash. Nevertheless, it still became a habit on my part to check the back of my legs and see if I splashed some dirt as I was walking.
The third time I looked back and realized my legs were still clean, I just paused and realized something. We have puddles here, but how come it didn’t make me dirty? Then I continued my walk and sighed. I wish children in the Philippines wouldn’t have to worry about puddles and dirt when walking after a rain. Then they would get to appreciate rain more.
I couldn’t recall the last time I logged in my own website to at least peek and read the comments left. That was ages for me I know. No amount of excuse can compensate my grave negligence. I can only say so much apologies to all my friends and family who never fail to stop by to drop a word or two. I appreciate it from the bottom of my heart. Now that I have everything in my life organized eighty-five percent in their respective shelves (as I put it), I will do my best in working on being a better sister, friend and pal.
And you know what…call it chastisement! As today marked my first log in after a long period of absence, I could not help but be lost in my own space. The arrangement is new in my dashboard and I couldn’t help but be disoriented. Thanks to my younger sister- she makes everything new for me…. like I am always up to opening a present.
Alright…finally I am back! Bear with me in my first few days as like moving in my new apartment, being here in my blog dwelling I still need to do some organizing- like how paintings still need to be hang and boxes need to be unsealed.
Children’s excitement over a particular event that is expected to take place is for me the most genuine expression of all. Once upon a time we were children…and we know what it felt like. The anxiety over waking up on Christmas morning to find a present left by Santa; or the jovialty over a promise that you always long for.
Today, I felt like I was a child again. I only slept for two hours because of too much excitement. And why not? Today is the day that we moved in our new place- our little home closer to work at Lakewood Ranch. Christian and I are very happy to find this place. Personally I felt like we are actually destined to be in this place. Looking back, we had alot of plans for ourselves. But God has patterned his own plan for us… and it was marvelous. I couldn’t ask for more.
Since last Tuesday, I have been working my *** off with my new job. I am still under training here at the Holiday Inn Lakewood Ranch and I was (and still am) excited to learn more about the industry and meet alot of people. As much as I am fully aware of my strengths, I also do not need a tap on the shoulders for me to know my downfall. That’s why I have my training…and I worked really really hard.
I got the third shift this time. I was trained to do the Night Audit of the things that transpired early during the day. I love it! Working from 11:30 to 7:30 on an Auditing work exposed me more on paperworks than on guests (although there were still few check-ins and some check-outs that I myself has to do).
The good thing about working at night for me is primarily the almost inexistent traffic jam on my way to work. I had to drive 21 miles, including 8 miles on the highway. But the downside of this schedule is my lack of time with my Christian. For the two of us, our favorite time has been our bedtime where we just cuddle and talk in whispers until we fall asleep. Now, each one of us has to sleep alone on the same bed at a different time. And both of us are still adjusting.
I am still at work right now…. and I am just counting the minutes. I had done my paperworks already and guests are still sleeping on a Sunday morning. I couldn’t wait to go home while Christian is still in bed. In the meantime, all I can do is grin looking back at the five days realizing that I survived!
Finally after over two months of sending out my resume and cover letter to prospective employers regardless of whether or not they are hiring someone, I finally got my first job here in the United States. The last months (or even year) has been a tough time for the American economy. And the domino effect of the economic meltdown left small and big businesses laying off workers. As a result, competition gets tougher in ones hunt for a living.
This is no time to be picky. In my part I thought I just need to be part of the flow of the stream of professionals. And once I am there, I will go with the flow wherever the current will take me. Inside me I thought I just need to be a part of a stable company. Now my hope is realized- thanks to the help of my husband. Now the fruit of my hardwork (and crying nights) is here. I got a job at the Lakewood Ranch Holiday Inn.
In a place that relied primarily on tourism, it is important for me to be in a Hotel Industry. And this is no ordinary hotel. With my acceptance, it means that I am just part of the number 1 best Holiday Inn in North America. How cool is that? Now the challenge is up to me. I have to live up to the hotel’s reputation and at the same time keep a lasting impression of how great I can be when given the chance to shine in the room.
Thank God for this marvelous blessing!
Let’s face it, no one is getting any younger. Whether you are a full-time homemaker, a focused professional or someone so talented to actually synthesize both- no doubt you are one of the many people bombarded with stress and physical pains. So with all our hard work, our body deserves a treat. And since pain occurs when we least expect it, frequent trips to the sauna could even cause pain itself.
So waht do you think about an Infrared Sauna in your home that will be easy-to-assemble- an accessible way to treat your body aches at the convenience of your home. And stepping inside this room does not only limit to treating body pains instead it works as far as working on joint stiffness, weight loss, increases blood flow, low or high blood pressure, menopausal symptoms, aging, skin, eczema, menstruation pain, ulcers, asthma and many more.
So the next time a pain strikes, or even when you just feel like treating your skin, stepped into your far infrared saunas and enjoy. Breathe in and out, indulge yourself to a marvelous treat!
My Christian turned 36 yesterday. It was his first birthday as a married man. And as a wife, I tried to make it extra special…something that he will remember and hopefully get used to for the years to come.
It was not like he planned it to be that way, but looking back now I realized how beautiful his celebration was. It was nothing fancy! As a matter of fact it was a rather simple celebration of life. But to put it more accurately, it was a selfless way to thank God for another year.
First, we joined Tony’s Walk for Life. It was a fund-raising activity dedicated to Tony, our friend who is a Brain Cancer survivor. Christian and I helped in organizing the race. It was a fulfilling way to give some of our time to a close friend who is known to everyone as a fighter.
Secondly, we kept company of the dog named Saler whose owners were gone for New York for a baby shower. Christian being extra close to the dog was very sensitive on his needs. We spent a few minutes with him in the house and walked him around the neighborhood so he can have a dose of his daily exercise.
Thirdly, Christian and I stopped by Books-a-million to get a stuffed dog for an old lady I met in the Rehabilitation Center. Chris came in to meet her. That was my first time to be in the Center as a visitor on the weekends. My three old lady-friends were having their lunch when we came in. I spent some time with Virginia as she was not touching her food. She is in her late 80’s and is suffering from a worst form of dementia. She doesn’t swallow her food, either because she is not capable of doing it, or she just doesn’t want to. Then I approached Mary who was indulging on her lunch. I introduced her to the dark brown stuffed animal, and her face glowed- looked pleased to see another friend. Then I stopped by the one-hundred one year old lady named Mary. On our conversation she asked me to ask God to take her. She looked prepared already…and she sounded anxious.
I am very proud of my husband as I have always been. I am very lucky for having found a guy so selfless and giving. A person who l has a big heart not just for me, but for our families, our friends and even for strangers.
The US economy is on the brink. Whether or not this whole financial crisis will take us to another Great Depression is something the government is trying to avoid and something the middle class couldn’t help but fear. But the complexity of this crisis is transformed into a malady for most of us. Having a good or bad credit does not make any difference nowadays.
And just when things seem to get any tougher for many of us acquire Personal Loans or Auto Loans comes BestLeadingLenders.com . With them, customers do not undergo the grueling process of loan application. The first step of application to the loan approval is quick and hassle-free without a need to leave your home. And since having a good or bad credit doesn’t make so much of a difference nowadays, Bad Credit Loan could be tougher to acquire. But with BestLeadingLenders.com programs are made accessible nationwide for most credit situations.
So in the midst of an economic wreckage, who would have thought there is still a better option to financing?
During one of our daily phone conversations, my Nanay ( Filipino worded which means, Mother) mentioned to me that they’d cut the coconut tree that was in our backyard. The moment I heard about it, I felt a sudden twinge of sadness. And the whole time we were chitchatting about anything and everything, my thoughts continued to wander. I became emotional.
Coconut trees are very famous and common in the Philippines. The tree itself embodies a perfect counterpart representation. It is a low-maintenance crop. It is very productive. Out from one tree you can make so many things out of it. We have coconut husks that we use to scrub the floors. We use coconut leaves for poso (hanging rice). Copra is derived from dried coconut meat. Genuinely sour vinegar originated from perfectly aged coconut water.
This is infact known as the tree of life because it is such a provider. I’m sad to know that our coconut tree will be gone.
