Be it known that on this first day of the year 2011, I am back…and I am definitely back for good.
Purple-colored Sunday
Even before this day started, everyone in Minnesota already knew for whom this day is for. My husband and I decided to attend the morning mass so we can just cruise through the rest of the day til the game at 5. In the church, at least six people were wearing the famous purple jersey which was confirmed to be the standard fashion for the day. I saw at least 3 more people in the grocery store flashing the same fashion statement. And just before the priest gave his final blessing, he asked everyone to take a moment in silence to pray for Brett and his company- collectively known as the Minnesota Vikings.
Since I moved here in Minnesota eight months ago, one very distinctive feature among Minnesotans are their love for the football game. And since the team’s acquisition of the talented and oldest quarterback in the league Brett Favre just this 90th season of the NFL, the excitement grew more into passion, loyalty and then, pride for the team that carries their State. I, on my part knew I was destined to be a Vikings fan primarily because of their color. After all, I didn’t really understand the game until I decided to join my husband cheer in front of the television set.
Now over four months since the league started, the Vikings managed their contention for the SuperBowl. Less than an hour from now, Brett and company will play against the New Orleans Saints for the AFC Championship. This is not going to be an easy game for the Vikes- and they know that. I’m sure they did their practice, coaches did their homework. And as for us fans who can’t make it to the Superdome game in New Orleans, we’ve already cleared our Sunday schedules…we’ve already stocked up our food so we don’t have the leave the living room…and we’ve already said our prayers. Skol Vikings, let’s win this game! Continue reading
Posted in Entertainment, sports
Tagged AFC Championship, Brett Favre, Minnesota, Minnesota Vikings, New Orleans, New Orleans Saints, NFL, Superbowl
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Clinging to a memory
It’s been a while since I last updated my blog with my latest happenings. It took alot of procrastination I confess, that it just reached a point that I totally forgot about a life that I had linked with this vast void.
Then today- with just one feeling, I instantly returned to the page I almost kept in the index of my oblivion. Now I am starting to compose my thoughts again to share it with whoever will come across my blog.
I’ve been missing my hometown very strongly lately and I thought that was it. I thought there’s nothing more than that feeling until I felt it today.
I followed my sister Madon’s link and it led me to the various montage that she’d made in the past. One of them was a collection of old childhood pictures from my two nephews and nieces. Oh I started to miss them so much that I just started crying and sobbing *Thank God my husband’s at work*.
Why I am feeling this way?
I looked at the pictures again and still I cried. Not only did I watch them grow. I was there molding their character while they were growing up. And now I realized I am just so far away to actually be part of their lives. But more so I cried because I realized that childhood is such a beautiful part of a child’s life but it’s just so fleeting. In a brief moment while I allowed myself to be drawn by my thoughts while looking at those pictures, I remembered how it was like holding a beautiful baby in my arms…. the baby scent…the coos they make when indulging in a babytalk conversation with me. I am still lucky because I made memories with them though they may not remember it, but still I cried because I know I won’t be able to bring back the times. I cried because when I go home to visit them, things are not gonna be the same as it was. I love you guys! I love you Meikue!
God speed!
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!
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged Atlantis, Cape Canaveral, Florida, NASA, Shuttle Atlantis, STS-125 crew members
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A message from a puddle
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.
Posted in Family, lessons, Uncategorized
Tagged holiday inn, hotel, lakewood ranch, philippines, rain, Weather Channel
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Lost in Space
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.
A Child Again
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.
I survived!
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!
Time to Shine!
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!
Posted in jobs, My Journey, Uncategorized
Tagged holiday inn, holiday inn express, holiday inn hotel, hotel, job, lakewood ranch, north america, Sarasota
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Step Inside Your Own Infrared Sauna
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!
Posted in Sponsored
Tagged aging, arthritis, asthma, infrared sauna, menstruation pain, sauna, skin, ulcers
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