Ilaw

Pinto at ilaw

Ilaw sa dilim

I-stove

The kettle



"He took my blood. And it was my favorite blood. I like my blood." -- James, when another kid accidentally gave him a little scratch

P.S. Staring for a while at the word "blood" makes me think it's spelled wrong. And why is it spelled like that?! It doesn't sound like blood as in blued. It should be blud. *random*
===============================

"I want some!" -- Kelssie
"No!!!" -- Shahan
"But I want some! Want some!!!" -- Kelssie
"No!!!" -- Shahan
"Shahan, tell Kelssie, 'No cuz you already had 3 pieces!'" -- Tracie
"No, Kelssie, cuz you need to lose weight." -- Shahan
===============================



More random pictures

Hullo

I got out of class early tonight and should probably be writing my paper rather than sitting here writing this. Oh well! So much for that! I'm too tired anyway. I almost fell asleep putting kids to sleep.

So Friday I worked 9 hours. I only had 3 kids for half the time and then Parisa for the rest of the day. Ethan and Justin left at 12 and Parisa took a nap until 2:30. The reason I was left behind was technically so I could have some study time. Then Tracie gave me a 3+ hour project of sorting out their millions of videos. Oh well.

I woke up at 5:30 on Saturday and I left 20 mins getting-lost time, yet still got lost. Where did I get lost?!? OFF OF BLOOMFIELD AVE. Well, technically not lost. I mean I know how to get back, but I missed the turn, so tried the next, and circled around and bumped into the road I was supposed to be on but didn't know whether to go right or left and ended back on Bloomfield and then turned the wrong way again and had to turn around at PathMark and started to go out a no-left-turn exit and backed up leaving a bewildered policeman staring at me in his giant SUV and then finally got there late, but we didn't start until 8:20 anyway. Ok, we were supposed to start before 8:20, but the very bad proctor told us to fill out all the info (like name, test codes, etc) and just start when we were done. SO we were all sitting there waiting for him to say go and he never did. But anyway, the test ended at 12:15.

As the previous post said, I went to the Resevoir Tavern for dinner.

CJ has jeepy back on the road. I backed his jeep in today. Sometimes I amaze myself. Really -- his jeep is nice cuz it is open and much higher up.

Here are some miscellaneous pics -- day care, birthday, etc.





And now for two videos (we are on a roll today!)


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Older

From my sociology book -- it, like, ya know, rocks

I study on my birthday.

19... wow. I guess I think this is where the excitement of getting older stops. Next year I'll be 20. I used to dream of being 18 and now it is gone forever. I guess I thought I'd be really old and mature at 18. HUH?! HAHA. Anyway, I woke up at 5:30, I went to my Praxis exam (and got slightly lost of course -- 19 and still can't figure out directions), got done at 12:15, got home, climbed a ladder and cleaned windows for Gfather (twas fun -- and I realized that a picture from the bottom of the ladder up into the sky is VERY photographic, but alas, I did not take a picture) and then I am studying. Woohoo. Getting older means working harder. I'm going out for pizza with Kait, Susie (hopefully), Ronda, and Julie.

I just had a thought: if I had the brains of Andy and the work ethic of me, what kind of grades would I get? Probably if I had the brains of Andy, I'd have the work ethic to match. *cough*

I still had my phone on SMS so I got lost of texts from peeps saying happy bday. YAY. And Gmom and Gpop called and so did CJ.

EDIT// Went out to eat at the Resevoir Tavern with Ronda, Kait, Susie, Julie, and Sheryl. HAHA -- the TAVERN. Just wait until I'm 21. Kidding!!! It was a fun time, topped off with Friendly's for desert (the waiters sang -- and I was a bit embarrassed.) HAHA. Good day!

Soooo the bday greetings:
Texts from Jobel, Hans, Chebong, Joash, Hapi, Tita Tetch, Andy, and parents
Calls from CJ and grandparents
Emails from Brigette, Bambam, Melisa, Tita Tetch, Tito Eddie, and Dan H.

Conclusion: we live in a high-tech society.

To finish it off, a bday message from a friend:

God has blessed you with so many blessings from your youth up, and His blessings even predate your birth. You have been dear to Him even before the world was made. May you, therefore, always live in the light of the goodness of God to you. And knowing God and His goodness to you, you would "honor Him as God and give thanks."

Um... hello

Hi people.

1.) It's Kait's bday today. We ate lunch in between my shifts.
2.) I am madly pulling together a play on 3 of Aesop's fables. It's pretty stressful trying to get it together in 2 weeks.
3.) I got kicked out of Penndel and moved into freshmen housing with Meghan. She is a nice girl, we get along well, but she goes to bed at 3am. I am going to email the director since I already called Student Life.
4.) I went to the Carlson's and surprised Kaitlyn by showing up for her bday dinner.
5.) I got embarrassed in class cuz the prof told the entire class that I had the top score. I like community college cuz I feel smart. People don't work as hard, so it makes me look like a genius. Plus I did all the extra credit just in case. HAHA. The whole class was a little ticked off at me. (In a teasing way, though.)
6.) We got out of class early. And then I sat on the front porch and talked to CJ for 45 mins. It's cooler outside than in.
7.) Praxis coming up -- madly studying. Busy life.
8.) Tracie said that I have 4 days to decide whether to change schools and take the full-time teaching position because I would be taken before the other applicants. Haha I wish. She wanted me to go to Willy P at night and work full-time in the day. Not happening.
9.) I will be working 2 hours every Monday before driving back to PA this upcoming semester.

Pics and a video!





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A sign I've been putting kids to nap too much: I get ready to go to bed, and start singing "Bye, Baby Bunting" to myself. Good grief.

When work interferes with fishing...

A lot has happened in the past week, but there is no way I am going to recount them because they're basically kid stories that nobody can relate to because they don't know the kiddies. Let's start with the weekend instead (and then we'll get to my depressing post title)

Let's see... Friday! Andy had another flat tire. He drove over a man-hole-ette... you know, those little tiny manhole looking things, only they're not? Sometimes they're the water thingies. Whatever they're called, it was sticking up and he didn't see it and got a flat tire. In the words of PJ, "WELL SUE THEM!!!" Andy was going to pick me up at work so we could go to WalMart and the Carlson's for the college and career Bible study. Because the tire blew out on the way to pick me up, he dropped it off at Firestone and we took my car.

Oh yes, while waiting for him to pick me up, I was in the clubhouse reading books to Kassie and Kelssie. They were stories about Barbie. Barbie is this virtuous, lovely, noble doll who does good things and is pretty as well. Good grief.

Anyway... we went to WalMart on an unsuccessful trip. (I was trying to find something that wasn't there.) So then we went to the Bible study. Mr De Lisi spoke on evangelism again and we had to give the gospel one on one to someone there. I did it with Christiana. It reminded me of freshman seminar -- that's what we had to do in freshman sem. Except we used things like the "Evange-cube" and "Wordless book" and stuff like that.

We ended up staying until 11:30 at the Carlson's because Becca talks a lot. HAHA!!! Just kidding. It was Becca, Julie, Andy, and me. Becca was talking about her childhood fights with Rachel and how they were so different. That was amusing.

Saturday, Grandmother and Grandfather went to NY State for Jordan's wedding. Andy and I stayed home and amused ourselves by setting off kinder surprise bombs and stuff like that... NOT. I studied some for the Praxis, nagged Andy to stop playing his computer game and actually do stuff, and other things like that.

Sunday was good. Mr. Harris preached on a Biblical perspective of recent events and Pastor Martin continued his series on justification and Pastor Bart continued on 2 Samuel 7. I also had a surprise bday party at lunchtime, though it wasn't really a surprise because a certain smart person blew it. HAHA! Funny... I had inklings along the way, but if the other person hadn't spilled the beans, I would have been a bit more surprised. I have yet to be surprised. No wait, my graduation was a surprise. =) I definitely decided it's more fun to plan the surprise. Anyway, Catherine, Kaitlyn, and Julie came. Ronda was house sitting, Christiana had their monthly dinner (which they were hoping I'd forget about -- and I did!), and Susie went to Virginia Beach. It was a fun time. Kait gave me a HUGE Superman poster to put on my dorm room wall. I told her I'd only do it if she put a huge Orlando Bloom poster on her wall. First of all, there's no space on her wall, and she does have an Orlie calendar. HAHA!!! I'll put it up and take a picture and then take it down... and if she sleeps over, I'll put it up for then too. HAHA. Pictures to follow.

Gmother, Gfather, and Andy gave me an iron (which includes a board eventually) which made me very, very excited. It must be a sign that by the time you get excited over an iron, you're definitely not a little kid anymore. (Then again, I was obsessed over the highlighters and pens Kait gave me and I've been like that since I was little...)

Random fact: my miles per gallon average from June 30th - July 30th was 16. *cries* I had been moping at church about driving on an empty tank and when I came into the house, I was moping about filling my tank and Kait, Catherine, and Julie were hiding in the front hall trying not to laugh. Haaay buhay.

After evening service was a hymn sing at the Chung's. That was a lot of fun. There were 2 other guys there that heard about Trinity online. The older guy is really energetic and tells stories extremely well. He was talking about some of his street evangelism experiences in real inner city. The other guy is a sophomore at Valley Forge studying Theology. His sister is a best friend of a girl that goes to PBU. (She was in one of my classes)

Today Andy flew home. I went to work and in between shifts, I picked up his car. His car is a mess. (I can say that cuz I just cleaned mine.) His room is a mess, come to think of it. I might post a picture on the tattle blog. Anyway, the tire had just arrived when I got there so I was told to wait 15mins. More like 45. Anyway, the guy who did it just came back from a month in the Philippines. The Firestone dude said he should get a supply of those tires cuz Andy keeps getting flats. Tsk tsk.

When I got home, Gmother told me that ECC called to say class was canceled today. Gfather, Uncle Chuck, and CJ went fishing tonight and I realllly wanted to go, but I still had work! If it weren't for work, I could have gone. *tears* I want to go fishing! The last time I went was when I was 8!!! I was very depressed... but work cheered me up.


Bryan's grandparents picked him up today. They fly back to the Philippines tomorrow. They're from Pasig. Funny... when people are taken out of their culture, there is an amazing common bond even among complete strangers. Bryan's family is really nice anyway. His grandparents were really great to meet. Spoke some Tagalog. Then his grandmother went into the ball pit cuz she wanted to try it out. PK said, "I guess she can't go into the ones at MacDonald's so she went in ours." HAHA! That almost made up for missing out on the fishing trip.

So anyway, since I can't go fishing, I'm going ........... woah, interruption. Gmother's car alarm started going off and I thought it was mine so I hit my panic button and both cars started alternating obnoxious beeps. HAHA!! And the fire alarm went off in the middle of the pastoral prayer yesterday morning. False alarm......... what was I saying... oh yes! I'm going to study for the Praxis, do sociology stuff, research for my paper, and work on getting a list of what we need for the play. I'm going to make the kids work on it during circle time because there is no way we're getting it together if we only have Monday practice. Bye

P.S. Andy got me Selecta Mango ice cream. The girls were very impressed. Tis very good.

Contemplating chickens

1.) Chickens in America are huge. They look like Turkeyettes
2.) Not only is America obese, chickens are obese too.
3.) Chickens in America come with a little bag stuffed inside containing their innards. HAHA






Thrift store sign: Unattended children will be given espresso and a free puppy

Pictures

The sleepover:


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Kait's birthday


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Quick one

If you don't hear much from me until May 4, 2007, it is because life suddenly got busy. (May 4 is when school ends next year.) I have about 7 minutes to write this. I decided working 5 hours in the morning is soooo much faster than doing it in the afternoon. I'm kinda glad I have the 5 hours to get it over with in the afternoon and then only 2 when I go back. It drags when kids spend half the time sleeping. Haha.

Thanks to a year at PBU, I have developed my time management skills. I was able to squeeze in an hour this morning (plus get a load of laundry on the line... woohoo!) and about 45 minutes just now to study and I put in 4 hours Friday morning last week. I have the first big exam (covering 4 chapters) on Thursday with the topic and references due for my term paper also due. La la la. I get off work at 5:30 so I should have some more time to study after dinner.

Work is calling me. See ya later.

Wow

I got home from church to an answering machine message from Tracie asking me to come in at 8:30. Sashi was gone for good and I told her I have a class at night (which she didn't realize I was doing) and so we cut it from an 8-hr day to a 7-hr. I'll be working Monday to Friday 8:30-1:30 (so I can be there when the kids arrive and be able to put them to sleep) and then back at 3:30-5:30. That means I have at least an hour and a half in the middle of the day to study and maybe an hour between dinner and class. She asked me if I was going back to school this semester, because if I wasn't, she was going to offer me the full-time teacher position first. Tempting, but I can't. =( She's going to advertise the position to open the Monday I go back to school.

Somehow I have to accomplish my homework, study, write a 6-page term paper, and take the Praxis by August 17th (when the summer class ends). I'm going to start by taking a nap. Bye!

HAHA

During the summer, what I save in gas, I make up in school expenses.

I ordered some of my school books for next semester -- church history and integrated language arts. PBU isn't very smart if they think I'm going to buy from their bookstore. I went to the bookstore online and found out the needed books and then checked www.cheapeasttextbooks.com for the best price. One book was 1 cent plus 3.49 for shipping, coming to 3.50. I saved 49 cents. Haha. The kid books for children's lit I can get out of the library. I'm very excited -- the first book is Number the Stars. Haha! I like that book. I've read several of the books on the list. (Like Giver, The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, and Charlotte's Web) The other books are Honey for a Child's Heart, Literature for Children, Read-Aloud Handbook, Shiloh, Fairy Tales, and James and the Giant Peach. I'm going to try to buy the PE book off of a student.

Now to work on more sociology.

I'd just like to say...

When I got into my car today to go to Kait's (bike riding!), I was excited to see that I had gone 41 miles since a full tank (which was July 30th).

Storm is brewin'

I'm so glad I can drive stick. CJ's door-less jeep is pretty cool! (I BACKED INTO THE DRIVEWAY! The open top and door-less-ness gives great view for backing up.)

Haven't had a video in a bit! Here's one:

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And here is a picture of the little birdies in the nest that a bird built in a flower pot hanging from the front porch:

Something very cool

I just thought I'd mention something very cool. The thermometer said 101 and it didn't even feel like it!!! It's hot, but not at all like Manila. Very cool!

I think therefore I am a rhubarb tart

EDIT// Thought I'd add some pics!


He was sticking his tongue out but I didn't catch it in time.


Sheryl is getting taller by the day


We are mature almost-19-year-olds. *cough*

I want another slice of rhubarb tart.
I want another lovely slice.
I'm not disparaging the blueberry pie
But rhubarb tart is oh so very nice.
A rhubarb what? A rhubarb tart!
A whatbarb tart? A rhubarb tart!

The principles of modern philosophy
Were postulated by Descartes.
discarding everythign he wasn't certain of
He said 'I think I'll have a rhubarb tart.'
A rhubarb what? A rhubarb tart!
A Rene who? A Rene Descartes!
Poor nut he thought he was a rhubarb tart!

Read all the existentialist philosophers,
Like Schopenhauer and Jean-Paul Sartre.
Even Martin Heidegger agrees on one thing:
Eternal happiness is rhubarb tart.
A rhubarb what? A rhubarb tart!
A Jean-Paul who? A Jean-Paul Sartre!
Eternal happiness is rhubarb tart.

A rhubarb tart has facinated all the poets.
Especially the immortal bard.
He caused Richard the Third to call the Bosworth Field:
'My kingdom for a slice of rhubarb tart!'
A rhubarb what? A rhubarb bard!
Immortal what? Immortal tart!
As rhymes go that is really pretty bard!

=========================
One of these days that is going on the background music of the EX-Parrot.

Weeeell it was a long week. I worked 40 hrs, went to class Monday-Thurs, etc. What are some of the things that happened recently:

* I am a victim of water.
--> Grandfather threw water on me at the table when we ate outside
--> Andy threw ice water on me in the kitchen because I changed his voicemail message to "I am currently in the bathroom with my laptop playing World of Warcraft and I can't come to the phone right now. Please leave a message after the beep" and the Filipino travel agent called and said "So you take your laptop everywhere with you... kahit sa banyo?" *dies laughing*
* I got told I am "an amazing woman" and "a mature 18-year-old, can you teach my son to be responsible; he's 21 and he's good looking too"
* Kassie wants me to be her sister
* PJ wants me to stay the whole year
* Kelssie lets me brush her teeth and put her to bed without her binky (amazing)
* Morgan and Ariana finally are getting into the pool and getting wet
* Bedros and I had an argument about my name
--> "Say 'Becky'!" "Mama." "No, say, 'Becky'!" "No, Mama! Mama! Mama!" [insert weird sounds like taka taka dagu tasha taka]
* Samantha is not cured of calling me "Miss Bethany"
* Taylor and Kassie helped put the younger ones to sleep yesterday and got tired themselves and fell asleep which gave me 3 hrs of peace
* James was missing on Friday so there was more peace than the past week
* Bryan is gone for 2 weeks =(
* Nicholas was tattling on Shahan... something about hitting his face
--> "Nick, do you always need to tattle?"
--> "This isn't tattling. This is serious."
* PJ took my bike and dumped it in the grass until I threatened to lock it up next time
* Justin is turning into the world's greatest terror who cries everytime he is asked to share
* Sociology is a very interesting class. We discuss lots of crazy things. And we're 95% from other countries.
* Kaitlyn was forced to the picnic by 4 people talking to her on the phone to persuade her to come (including Pastor Bart) and then she had a lot of fun and ended up sleeping over in a tent in the backyard. See the EX-Parrot for details
* I will fail the Praxis somehow... I have a bad feeling about it.
* I did laundry finally. Woohoo.
* I folded up the tent and it fit in the bag at the first try. Yay.
* I want to go swimming.
* For those concerned about the South Beach Diet, I am on phase 1.5 plus brownie. (Keena, I don't care what you say -- I also exercise too which makes up for the cheating.)
* I love work. I wonder when my record will break -- so far I've never had a job I didn't like. I liked TBS, TCBY, Chick-fil-A, day care... the only job I don't like is going to school and studying. (Probably cuz all the other jobs don't involve academics. TBS involved organization, speed, stocking books; TCBY involved organization, cleaning; Chick-fil-A involved organization, speed; day care involves diapers, cooking, cleaning, putting children to bed, dishes, lifeguard, arts and crafts, referee, hugs, games, songs, sun tan lotion, wiping away tears, time out, yelling, organization, patience, love, firmness, and responsibility. -- Conclusion: all better than school books!... Although, when I get into a class, I like the challenge of working for that A! And most classes I end up liking -- except A&P just because, English Comp, OT 1 second half and 2 and I think next semester I'll be adding Lit and Arts (if I get in) and Philosophy to the list)

Ok, I'm going to ramble. This is what I do at The Orchard School (including the extra 3 shifts to cover Shashi when she's gone):

*Arrive at 10am. Find out how many kids we have, hug the kids who come running up yelling, "Miss Becky's here!" Then break up a few fights ("Guys, you need to take turns.") Talk to Trish and find out what the craft is. Then get the kids together to put on bathing suits and change the toddlers. Put sunblock on them all. Grab food and herd them all out. Then they eat a snack outside ("Can I have some water?" "How do you ask?" "Please may I have some water!" "I don't want to eat this anymore.") and some do a craft and some go in the water. One of us has to do the craft while the others play lifeguard ("NATALIE, DO NOT RUN AROUND THE POOL!" "I'm not running. I'm skipping." "NATALIE!!! SLOW DOWN!" "Natalie, do not jump in the pool. Either step in the pool or step into time out.") and watch those who are outside the pool area ("JAMES GET A HELMET NOW!!!")

Lunch is supposed to be outside. After they eat, we send them all back in to change and then the younger ones go down for a nap. (Which is everyone except Kassie, Taylor, PJ, and Nicole... and Willow and Alana when they are here.) I go down, turn off the lights, turn on the fan, and turn on the lullabye music (which gets stuck in my head -- "Lavendar's blue dilly dilly, lavendar's green/ When you are king dilly dilly, I will be queen/ Who told you so dilly dilly, who told you so?/ Twas my own heart dilly dilly, that told me so"), and start putting kids to bed.

After they finally fall asleep (Kelssie, Shahan, and James can take foreeeever), I go upstairs and find something to do with Kassie and Taylor and PJ if he feels like it. I also try to get cleaning done (vacuuming, wiping down tables, emptying dishwasher and reloading it, sweeping, mopping, etc). Then everyone starts waking up around 3-3:30, ocasionally on a particularly wonderful day they wake up at 4 (yay). Then they all get changed and suntan-lotioned. I grab food, the attendance clipboard, and send them out to the snack table. Then they all get in the pool and I play lifeguard for 2 hrs or less (boring) and sometimes run all around the yard bringing in toys.

I usually leave right at six, but sometimes I still have to change a kid or yesterday when I was playing "I'm going on a picnic and I'm going to bring an apple, bananas, cake, desert, egg, fish, grape juice, hotdogs, ice, jam, ketchup, limes, milk, noodles, olives, pickles, quesadillas, radishes, soup, tomatoes, unicycle, vanilla ice cream, water, xylaphone, yogurt..." and whatever z was -- that was yesterday -- I can't believe I remembered that far -- with Kassie and then she started hanging on me (breaking my back too) saying, "I'm attached to youuu."

Anyway, boring last few paragraphs. Haha. Oh well. bye

MESA BACK!!! I am such an unstable person. I never know what I want to do in life. I end up not wanting to do one thing -- I want to do lots of things. That's probably why I like all my different jobs. They're all so different. My unstableness dawned on me as I was making dinner. When I'm in the kitchen I want to be a cook. I want to study culinary arts. I like to work with food (do you know how much fun a chicken is when it's not cut up?). And besides, experimenting with flavors is interesting. (Let's just hope the "Bombay style chicken" actually tastes good tonight... *sigh*) Then I watch a documentary on autism and read a book about a child with autism who had speech problems (echolalia) and stuff like that. I work with kids with speech problems. Then I want to be a speech therapist. And after I think about being a speech therapist, I decide that I want to do special ed. After I decide that, I decide that I don't want to do either because I'd still have to go to college. Then I wonder what it would be like to be an afternoon day care...person... and work morning shifts at a fast food place cuz that's a lot of fun too... and go to a night culinary arts class. I am such an academic loser with no direction. Isn't that depressing? That's why I suppose I ought to stick to el ed (since I'm in it already) and enjoy the random job hopping while it lasts before I must get a real job. Now this would be ideal (but not very logical, responsible, or wise): work at the Orchard School part-time, work as a receptionist for a few hours twice a week, work at Wendy's or Dunkin Donuts for a morning or evening shift, and take classes here and there. How pathetic. My theme song is "I'm a looooooser" (ask Kait). There are people that say, "I want to get through college. I want my own career." Career?! I must have problems. "Career" sparks no excitement. "The Orchard School" and "fast food cashier person" and "cooking and baking" spark more excitement. *randomness* OK!!! Time to write a mini-paper (or "paperette" to use an Oliff term) for sociology. I'm going to have fuuuun with that (it's my own opinion rather than spitting back the book -- yahooo!!!!).

ANNOYING BARNEY MUSIC REMOVED. HAPPY?

Wheeeeee!!!

"Oh no. A broken girl. I need to take you to the doctor." -- James, as he
picks up the head of a Barbie and proceeds to go back and forth in a
conversation between himself and the Barbie

Woah... I just realized a part of this was cut off! I can't remember what I said. Probably something about working 8 hrs and then going to class. And then I probably said that I have decided Protestants are not what I thought they were.

Explanation: We were talking about Emile Durkheim whose theory is social
integration. He compared suicide rates of several European countries and found
out that Protestant suicide rates were higher than Catholic and Jewish rates.
She asked the class why they thought it was true. The one lady said "Maybe
because Protestants don't have faith?" The prof, glancing at my PBU shirt, said
"Protestants have faith. Be careful, we might have some Protestants in the
room." Then the prof asked, "What do Catholics believe in?" The same woman who
said that thing about faith said, "Jesus Christ." So the prof said, "So then
they believe that killing themselves is a sin. Therefore that is why Catholics
don't kill themselves." IS THAT TO SAY THAT PROTESTANTS DON'T BELIEVE KILLING IS
A SIN?! I was quite disturbed until Protestants once again came into discussion
and I decided I must not be a Protestant. "Protestants believe they'll get signs
from God (e.g. if they're wealthy, God is on their side) whereas Catholics
believe the way to heaven is by baptism and church membership. (Therefore, if
Protestants aren't rich, then they believe it's a sign that God isn't on their
side and they get all depressed.) HUH?! Good grief.

Work was good. Sashi is gone for the week, so I'm kinda free to run it on my
own. I miss Sashi though! Sarah is not able to take charge or anything much, so
I had to put the kids to sleep, sort out the cleaning, get the kids up, get
Sarah to change some of the kids while I did my end-of-the-day cleanup (which
Sarah helped by vacuuming everything while I was putting the kids to bed) so
that I would not have to come back, leaving Sarah alone with the kids in the
pool. Then I had to take responsibility of finding a snack for them, getting the
drinks, and signing the kids out. It's a funny job -- it's like running your own
house (you can basically do whatever... free reign of the kitchen and all the
other supplies) except the kids aren't yours. I can't wait for the REAL thing --
not just this... except, I get payed for this. HAHA.

About Sarah -- she has some disability, but we don't know what it is. That
means, we have to find out for ourselves what her limitations are. For one, she
does everything in extreme. For instance, she came downstairs to get the vacuum
cleaner while I was trying to get the kids to sleep. She has a tendency to talk
a lot, so I just put my finger to my lips and said "Shh" and she dragged the
vaccuum cleaner across the floor at the pace of a snail. Another thing is that
she is very uncoordinated... and she can't wrap a vacuum cord up neatly at all.
Plus, she repeats everything 10 times and makes unnecessary comments like "Yeah,
that's what I was thinking" or "Yeah that's a good idea cuz..." (and then
explains everything). Here is an example of a typical conversation with
Sarah:

"So you sign in even though you're a volunteer?"
"I'm not a
volunteer."
"Oh, cuz I thought that since you were a volunteer that you
wouldn't sign in. But you sign in?"
"Yeah. I work here."
"Oh. So that's
why you sign in? Cuz you work here?"
"Yeah."
"So she pays you? Cuz Trish
said you're a volunteer. So that's what I was thinking... but she pays you? So
you sign in?"
"Yeah."

Yay for 5 hours with Sarah, without Sashi. It's hard for everyone, but it's a
test of really who I am as a Christian... seeking to love my neighbor, and be
thankful for how God made me! Also, not expressing my annoyance but showing
Christian character of gentleness and patience.

Interview time with Joash!

Have you been grounded in the last 3 months? 1 year? 5 years?
No. No. Uh... nooo...

What color are your best friend's eyes?
Brown?... wala... haha

What size shoe do you wear?
11... no it's 11 or 10

Paper clips or staples? Paper clips... Staples are dangerous (hahaha)

Have you ever eaten something really, really disgusting?
Wait... my nails?

What did you want to be when you were 6? 10? 15? Now?
a garbage man... ten? (haha) wait.. what did I want to become when I was ten.. pilot? Fifteen? A girl.. HAHA no just kidding! HAhaha. [stupid] wait.. I dunno. When I was fifteen? A big boy! Now? I dunno. I think I want to be an art teacher.

What kids TV show do you miss the most?
I dont know, I still watch them. They're all still on. Oh wait, Teletubbies! It's gone!

Chocolate or vanilla?
Coffee.

What is the Pythagorean Theorem?
What? (ano daw?) What is that?

Explain what the color blue signifies to you.
Color blue? Wait... let me think. Yeah it's cold. (Haha)

Who do you want to hug?
Hahahah.. no uh wait.. hit? Oh hug. MEEEE

Who do you want to hit?
YOU!!! (HAHA)

Have you ever worn someone else's socks?
Socks? Yeah I always do

How do you feel about being interviewed?
Stupid

Would you like to be left alone?
What? Right now? No..

Trip to Space Farm

So today we went to the Space Farm in Sussex County. Two kids got sick last minute, so we had the same number of adults as children. That way we had one on one. I had Morgan to watch. That kid is heavy!!! Thankfully we had 2 strollers and we took turns using them with her sister and Kelsie.

Interesting thing happened after lunch. A group of kids at another table were singing a thanks song for their food and Tracie turned around and said to her husband, "P! We didn't say any grace!" Then she turned said "I'm surprised Becky didn't say anything!" and she turned to Nick's parents and said, "Becky goes to a Bible school." I said "Well I prayed on my own..." and Tracie said, "But you didn't share it with us?" And I was like... WHHAAAAAT??? Tracie is Catholic, but I still thought religion was bawal. Maybe cuz it's a private school they can set the rules. Apparently Sashi sings some thanks prayer before the kids eat their lunch. There is a book about creation on the bookshelf. So that was interesting. At least now I know they're not nearly as strict as I thought a secular school would be.

Back at Orchard

It is kinda depressing when you get $73.13 taken off your paycheck because of taxes. Oh well -- Sociology class payment earned back and that's what counts. Woohoo.

I should start reviewing for the Praxis. *Sigh*In fact... I'm going to go to the library right now cuz it closes in an hour.

PS Did I mention how fun Orchard School is? Bedros was in my lap giggling hysterically while I was trying to put shoes on him. He can't talk but he makes funny sounds and laughs crazily over the most ridiculous things. Such a cute little boy. Oh and I made bracelets for Kassie and Taylor, but I forgot how chunky Taylor is. Her wrist is bigger than mine. Woops. Redo!

I work tomorrow 9-4ish cuz we have a field trip to Space Farm.

Over and out.

EDIT//

I just got back from the library. I got a big fat practice book for the Praxis. Ahh!!! It is now one day less than one month away from my exam. (Which means one day less than one month until I'm 19) I was also looking for books on autism (I watched a documentary called "Autism is a World") and I ended up getting some other book that I have no idea what it's about other than some kid with some problems. Oh well. We'll see.

Some thoughts...

The header of my blog says "For The Lord your God is He who fights for you, just as He promised you." The Bible talks about how God sees when a sparrow falls. That is such a small thing which reminds us how much more He sees when one of His children cries...

God is truly good and faithful. I guess I can be a pessimistic person when it comes to my own life (yet terribly optimistic when it comes to everyone else's) and I'm learning a lot about sitting back and trusting my future to an all-wise, ever-faithful God.

Yes, I'm going back to PBU. Maybe for the rest of the years in college. College may not be my first choice and I like to say that college is not for everyone... but I have no other option. I can't stop for a year because I'll lose all my scholarships. Funny how some people want to go to college and can't and here I am in college and I'd rather drop out. I am not transfering to WPU yet -- God has obviously overruled and who am I to question Him?

But... the point of this post is that I went to PBU on the way back from VA and talked to Elisa Monahan and I have a room in Penndel and it's a single room (Mommmmmyyyy sleepover time!!!) and the other 2 girls in the apartment I know and they're nice. God answers prayer in unbelievable ways...

I would yack on more but Andy is yelling for me to leave for Prayer Meeting.

PS I have a sore throat and it's all white in the back.

Happy 4th of July

Wow, I really am on a roll with all these pictures and videos!


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Yay for cameras!

Is it just me or do you see a similarity?

Another video for your enjoyment!


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AND a slideshow! Woohoo! We're on a roll! I had to cut a few pics out... I think there must be a picture limit, though it doesn't tell you that -- it just doesn't function!

Some pictures...

Life is a highway
I wanna ride it all night long
If you're going my way
Well, I wanna drive it all night long

Good morning!

Claire lost some teeth!

Claire reading to Lindsay

Claire and her favorite princess




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Yawn

Sleepy time...

I need to go to bed. I got my new layout from Jobel and it needed some tweaking... I still haven't figured out how to get my profile picture thing back. The top advertisement/search bar is gone and I know how to get that back, but then it looks baduy. It took me a while to figure out the codes for getting my comments back. Sorry, Mom, the email this link disappeared and I haven't figured that code out yet. But anyway... THANKS, Jobel. =)

Please welcome the blog of Bernard and Karl, the EX-Parrots!

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CJ's grad party was great. LOTS of kids running all over. And we threw CJ in the pool. Yay for CJ! More pics eventually. (Oh yeah, the Orchard School grad was good too and I have pics as well.)


Awww... m,e love "little" cousin CJ

Early to bed... early to rise???

I am so tired... went to Kait's last night and slept over. That meant I slept at 1... and then got up at 6:15 and went bike riding on those ridiculous hills. Kait and I are going to try to do it 3 times a week to train for biking somewhere in Maine... whatever it's called. So we are dieting and exercising. Go us!!! (Not to mention cheating and part of it is Kait's fault *cough*)
It's 9pm. I'm going to bed. Goodnight!

But before that, let me leave you with this interesting conversation I overheard while playing "lifeguard" at the pool at The Orchard School:

"Shahan, who do you love?" -- Willow
"I love you." -- Shahan
"You do???" *giggle giggle* -- Willow
"Richard, who do you love?" -- Willow
"I love you." -- Richard
"Shahan, Richard loves me too." -- Willow
"Shahan, if you both love me, you have to fight over me." -- Willow
....
"Shahan, who do you want to marry?" -- Willow
"Huh?" -- Shahan
"Who do you want to marry? Marry means the same thing as love." -- Willow
*Me cracking up silently*

Please note that Willow is 7 and Shahan and Richard are 5 or 6.

The Bible's version of child rearing:

Pro 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go, And even when he is old he will not depart from it.

Pro 22:15 Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; But the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.

Pro 13:24 He that spareth his rod hateth his son; But he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.

Pro 23:13 Withhold not correction from the child; For if thou beat him with the rod, he will not die.

Pro 23:14 Thou shalt beat him with the rod, And shalt deliver his soul from Sheol.

Pro 29:15 The rod and reproof give wisdom; But a child left to himself causeth shame to his mother.

Pro 12:1 Whoso loveth correction loveth knowledge; But he that hateth reproof is brutish.

Pro 15:5 A fool despiseth his father's correction; But he that regardeth reproof getteth prudence.

Pro 15:32 He that refuseth correction despiseth his own soul; But he that hearkeneth to reproof getteth understanding.

The world's version of child rearing:

"Your hands are not for hitting. Say you're sorry." (Missing: The reason why hands are not for hitting and what sorry actually means.)

"That's not nice to take his toy. You need to ask for your turn..." (WHY is it not nice?)

The art of diversion: "No that's not nice to do that. Here, take this instead." (And that accomplishes what?)

Persuasion: "You can't have his lollipop. Go to mommy and say "Mommy, I need a lollipop." (NO COMMENT)

"Don't jump off the pool!"
"Leave me alone!"
"That's not very nice."
*Jumps off pool*

=================================

Pro 3:12 For whom Jehovah loveth he reproveth; Even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.
=================================

At the Orchard School, even the owner's kids are obnoxious. The parents' packet advertises "Positive Discipline" and how well it works. Take a look at the owner's three kids -- it's not working.

James' dad: Put on your shorts. It's time to go.
*James' dad goes outside for a second*
*James drops the shorts and goes over to the toys*
*James' dad comes back in*
James: "You didn't see me playing with that toy."
James' dad: Just put on your shorts.

OR

Kelsey's dad: Don't take the bucket from Bedros!
*Kelsey keeps pulling at the bucket*
Kelsey's dad: Play with that other bucket. It's even bigger!
*Kelsey starts crying and throws the bigger bucket and keeps crying*
*Dad ignores and walks away*

All the same, they don't fight as much as those innercity Philly kids.

I'm definitely beginning to like 1st and 2nd grade a lot more than I thought I would. I thought kinder-2nd grade kids were kinda dumb and teaching would be boring. Some of them are really cute! I get along with older kids, but I don't think they'd respect me as a teacher yet. (Then again, PJ doesn't respect anyone and thinks he's the boss of all the kids just because he's TEN.) I've changed diapers and worked on potty training the kids. 'Tis interesting.

Oh yeah, one of the twins was going out the gate around the pool and I told her to go back inside. She's very quiet, but she gave me a look out of her eye that was in total rebellion. I thought about throwing her in the pool to teach her a lesson, but I'm more mature than that. (I'm kidding -- I didn't think that. I actually thought that her eyes were fascinating in spite of the rebellion behind them.) HAHA! I actually realized yesterday that the twins weren't as quiet as they looked. They were putting up a fuss for their mother yesterday. A lot of the kids get even worse when their parents show up.

The South Beach Diet... well, I've taken on a cheat every other day diet. I kept it faithfully yesterday and today... until dinnertime. HAHA!!! Oh well.

Back to day care: On Thursday, the older kids have half day since it's the last day of school. The afternoons will be very busy then. Now, I go in and don't do much until around 3 when the kids start waking up. Instead I talk to Shashi and learn more about Indian culture. =)

Essex County College news: I registered for my summer class and payed online, but it didn't seem to clear from my account. The deadline is July 5, so I called the bursar's office. They said it was in the records, so I checked my account again and saw it there. The thing was, though, that it also had refunded and therefore I actually didn't get anything taken out. So I called again and talked to this other guy who told me that something when wrong that day and everybody was charged twice, so they refunded me once. Tonight I went back to balance it with my written log and it didn't total right -- I had only been charged once AND refunded once which means I didn't pay after all. So I have to call tomorrow. How dumb is that! Stupid online payment.

CJ came last night. He was here for dinner and then we went to WalMart. He hit the sack at 9:30 and was off again at around 6:30. He went to bed early again tonight.

The water heater broke and flooded the basement. We didn't have gas and water for a while. John came over and installed the new water heater. I went down and bothered him for a while. (Actually I went down and bothered him the night before when he was in his workshed.) He misses me. HAHA!!!

Happy Father's Day

The Blairstown cousins stopped in just in time for desert.

Trip down memory lane

I worked at The Orchard School yesterday. Some of the kids are cute and some are annoying, but not anywhere close to the innercity kids I worked with during my ministry last semester. Funny, I remember being that age... and it doesn't seem so long ago. I was one of those know-it-all wanna-be-grownup kids who tattled on everyone.

Here are a few then and now (or more recent) pics!

1987 and 2005


1991 and 2005 -- Calvin exchanges places with me


1991 or 1992 and then 2002 or 2003



Not that we've matured any in 13 years...

All I have to say is...

"My name is Shahan. I'm lactose intollerant."
"Can you drink milk?"
"Yes. Lactose intollerant milk."

Hmm...

I have a job. Yeah... It's at Orchard School. I quit the whole temp idea cuz it wasn't going anywhere. So anyway! I'm working with little kiddies, playing games with them, and changing diapers! HAHA! Looks like a really neat place. I'll be working 1-6 M-F for $7. I'll be working longer on certain days to fill in for people. The music teacher knows some Philosophy teacher who used to teach at PBU. She was very thrilled that I played flute and piano and she hopes I can motivate the kids to practice... um... yeah. HAHA!!! I liked the place, plus, it will give me experience.

Oh yeah, I need a physical and a mantoux test... but I just had that done!!! I don't know if I made a copy of the physical for school, so they can't count it. Heh. And I have to get fingerprinting.

I need to exercise my creativity for an hour and a half to come up with things to do with the kids while the little ones are sleeping. Time for patintero outside. Wheee!!! The son of the owner (he's 10) saw that I was homeschooled and he said "Oh you're so lucky!" The owner was very impressed with my background -- being from the Philippines and stuff. So? One of the kids is Filipino.

So I work tomorrow 1-6. I think this job will give me experience, especially what it's like to deal with non-Christian kid things. Here's a quote from the handout for parents: "Children are given three chances to comply with verbal requests or redirection (Watch the '1-2-3 Magic' Video for more details). We utilize positive reinforcement and time out as necessary for older children (one minute for each year alive). Time out is a time to calm down and discuss what went wrong and ways to change hte behavior or repair behavior (ex. Saying sorry to our friend). We NEVER tell a child they are bad. We are specifically addressing a behavior that is not acceptable. We find this approach to be very helpful and request that you try this at home. As children get older you will find that you do not have to count at all because they will comply on the first request."

RIIIIIIIIIGHT. This should be interesting.

Here's some more on "Positive Discipline"

"Positive discipline is a process of teaching children how to behave appropriately. Positive discipline respects the rights of the individual, the group, and the adult."

"You can use positive discipline by intervening when necessary:

Re-direct to a new activity to change the focus of a child's behavior.
Divert the child and remove from the area of conflict.
Criticize the behavior, not the child. Don't say "bad boy" or "bad girl." Instead you might say "That is not allowed here."

Revolting. HAHA. This could be interesting. Actually, it's kinda sad. Whenever parents show up, the kids run away cuz they don't want to go. They advertise the place as "home away from home." They provide 24/7 care to meet the needs of "our hurried world of working parents." "We believe that the Orchard School can be your child's home away form home. Your child's second home. A place where they are comfortable, belong, feel loved, and are happy."

Oh yeah, this pamphlet thing I'm reading has a lot of grammatical errors. I just thought I'd mention that. The owner's husband (he's Indian) asked where I went to school and I told him and he said "Biblical... is that religious?" He didn't say anything, but he seemed a bit not too happy about it.

They can use me until I go back to school and then in December during Christmas break. Sooo if I stay one more semester at PBU or even a year, I can work when I come back, and if I stay at WPU, they'll be glad for long-term help. (Provided I can handle the job.)

Ok, over and out.

Yippee

Dear Rebecca,

Congratulations! It is my pleasure [Chick-fil-A?!?!] to inform you that, based upon your academic performance [sounds like a play] for the 2006 Spring semester, you have been named to the 2006 Fal Dean's List. PBU rejoices with you for your academic success. We trust this honor will be an encouragement as God continues to work in your life through your studies.

For details concerning the criteria and privileges associated with the Dean's List, please view the Student Handbook, available online at www.pbu.edu/life/handbook/index.htm.

Again, congratulations, and may God continue to bless your pursuit of academic excellence.

Sincerely,
Dr. Martha MacCullough
Dean, School of Education

YAY!!! So the privileges are *ahem*

Students wishing to take 19-21
credits may do so with permission from their faculty advisor, provided their GPA is 3.0
or above. Students may not take 22 or more credits unless their GPA is 3.5 or above.


Honor Roll
Matriculated students who are carrying a minimum of 12 hours, whose grade point
average for the semester is 3.5 or above and who are approved by SDD and the Student
Ministries Department, will be placed on the Honor Roll the succeeding semester.

Dean’s List Status
Matriculated students who are carrying a minimum of 12 hours, whose semester and
cumulative grade point average are both 3.5 or above, and who are approved by SDD and
Student Ministries Department, will be placed on the Dean’s List the succeeding
semester and receive Dean’s List recognition. Dean’s List students have no regulations
regarding work hours.

YAY! That means... I CAN WORK MORE! How nice. How bout "So we're increasing your scholarship!!!" Hah, oh well.

"Who gave the Sto. Nino to the people of Cebu?"
"According to our lolo, si Magellan kuno!"
"Who killed Magellan?"
"Si Yoyoy Villame!"
"Oh no."
"Ay, si Lapu Lapu, pala. Ay, si Lapu Lapu."
.............
"What is Iran?"
"Iran ay tatakbo!"
"No! What is Iraq?"
"Iraq, malaking bato."
===========================================

The guy has the best accent ever. Funniness!!! Butse Kik is so pointless it's funny. Yeah yeah...

Sooo I went bike riding yesterday. I biked to ShopRite and then back up whatever that street is that JCHS is on... it starts with W.

I have to get oil to change my car oil.

EDIT// I smell powder. My hair is all wet. I feel like I just showered and I'm at camp. Weird!!! Whatever. Anyway! Funny quote time:

At lunchtime, the Evernhams were over and they were talking about some guy that came up with Mr. Evernham from Florida. Anyway, Gmother and Gfather know his parents or something...

"We had him for dinner once." -- Gmother
"Oh... I don't know. I don't think he would be very tasty." -- Gfather

If I were drinking, I would have choked on it. At least I thought it was hilarious and would have gone into a fit of gigglations had not there been guests. Besides, I have learned to exercise self control and only chortle to myself.

Check the tattle blog

Two pics -- a daisy (Daisy, Daisy, give me your answer true. I'm half crazy all for the love of you....) and a cactus flower.

Philippine Independence Day Picnic

They were celebrating the centenniel of the first Filipino immigrants to America.



There, since I didn't feel like typing. Graphics are bad... cuz it's so reduced. Oh well.

What's in a name...

HAH!!! I was looking up names and their definitions today. Remember my post about that guy at the gas station who asked if I was Indian and called me what sounded like "Rivka" and it took me a while to realize it was a mispronunciation of "Rebecca"? Well, the Hebrew version of Rebecca is "Rivka." You may now call me Rivy... NOT!!!

Today I went to Ace with Grandfather... oh yes, and Happy Birthday to him too. Then Andy and I went on a long joy ride to get something and also pick up his car. At one point he thought he had left his keys at home and as we were driving back, he remembered he left them with the guy when he dropped the car off! SOOO after a big circlular route, we eventually made it.

And I went biking today. I think I saw my guinea pig's namesake... when he said he was a hippie in training a year a half ago, I guess he's graduated to hippie. I think it was Anthony -- he was wearing huge glasses. I didn't say anything though, in case it wasn't him, but it certainly looked like him. I almost fell off my bike too -- just kidding. He did look very hippie-ish... and he was carrying a guitar. (Connection?) That's the second time I think I've seen Anthony.

So back to the bike ride -- I biked the loop of the park and then started to go back. After reaching the avenue, I decided to turn down one street and eventually found Park and kept going and going and going and I certainly had no idea where I was, but I figured it would be hard to get lost. Anyway, I finally found myself at the George Washington school on Central and wove back around and took random streets until I finally got home. Twas fun. And then I went to Jack's to get sour cream for Grandmother and there wasn't a bike rack, so I biked back home and walked instead. Oh yes -- when I was checking out at the counter, I asked the guy if they had bike racks and he said, "You mean like... for sale?" OF COURSE FOR SALE!!! THIS IS A HARDWARE STORE!!! No, really, I didn't say that, but if we were playing "The Brain" game and I were the brain, that's what I'd say. He said they didn't and I'd just have to loop it (the bike?!) around a tree.

That is my interesting morning and afternoon.

Rainy summer... huh?!

Today I finished (finished?!) "organizing" everything. (In other words, putting everything in random boxes, wondering why on earth I brought stuff over from the Philippines anyway, and thinking about just moving back home to save the trouble...) It is definitely a little neater. =) Andy's room is very dusty -- especially his desk. He would fail white glove. Tsk tsk. I should have put that on the tattle blog... the tattle blog is so dead now. I was going to post what he said last night about needing a wife, but I never got around to doing it. But yeah -- we were talking about how men need their wives to keep track of them and Andy said something like "I need one of those." HAHAHA!!! In the words of David, "The bud is blossoming!" -- or to make it more Keena-ish, "The bud is blommosing." ANYWAY!!! What was I talking about?! (A lot of nothing, probably)

It's rainy and cold out. It reminds me of Baguio -- in rainy season. It's 60ish out.

So getting a job is definitely looking more inviting. I spent $484.50 today. Before you freak out -- it was ALL SCHOOL RELATED! It's a SIGN!!! TIME TO QUIT SCHOOL!!! I payed for my summer sociology class ($339.50) and then for the Praxis exam (which I can't take at Caldwell College cuz they don't offer the tests there, so I'm going to take it at the "QUEEN OF PEACE HIGH SCHOOL" in North Arlington, supposedly 24 minutes away... I think... depending on the getting lost factor) which was $145. And because of that, there is no way I am going to the Philippines Independence Day Festival in Camden with Audrey and Kim!!! Gas is ridiculous. Andy filled my nearly completely empty gas tank for $36.89 and complained about how bad my milleage was -- I TOLD HIM SO!!! Now he knows why I'm so tipid on my gas and keep such careful track of the miles to my destinations! See if he borrows my car again. HAHA. So yeah, much as I want to see them dance "Pandango sa Ilaw" (cuz I haven't seen it ever -- only pictures and I really really really want to see it... no, actually I really really really want to learn it, except I might start a fire) but I am not driving 80 miles one way to school cuz 80 + 80 = 160 which also equals almost half a tank which also equals something like $27. NO THANKS!!! Sorry, Philippines, I am patriotic, but too kuripot to go. HAHA!!!

I called the Baker temp agency today -- I have to go in personally to apply. (I'm doing that tomorrow) I freaked out on the phone and didn't sound confident at all. I kept saying "um" too -- even though I was very conscious of it after a man who prayed in prayer meeting and had 21 "um's" and "uh's" not counting the first minute of his prayer. True, I should not have been counting, but I couldn't help it.

I stood over the vent on the floor at church... it was great. It made my skirt poof out. HAHA. I amuse myself. I was having way too much fun and Kaitlyn was embarrassed by me.

Oh yesh... I'm back on the road!!! Last night I drove to prayer meeting (with Andy and the Evernhams, minus Mr. Evernham) and I was a little insecure cuz everyone was going so fast. HAHA!!! Just when I got used to the Philippines, I come back. And then today I drove Andy to Georgie's pie's (actually, it's George's -- I added the "pie" and the "i" in "George") which is a VW repair shop to get his Jetta repaired.

This is boring. Ok bye

Heeden i-Sfreng --> In English, "Hidden Spring"

In the i-States

Written while in the airport:

Having just eaten Cracker Jacks (with a "prize" as well – woot woot) from my finals week survivor kit (from a family I don’t know), I now sit in the Detroit airport at The Coffee Beanery, drinking a carmelatte (that I thought would be cold) and eating a Tootsie Roll from the end-of-the-year MuKappa treat bag. I am so healthy. Oh well – South Beach here I come! I just attempted calling random people in my phonebook, but I am being ignored.

NW has wonder bread. I guess they write the day last in Japan cuz the bun I had had the expiration date as 06-06-08. Ha! Wonder bread.

I sat next to a married couple. The man was a very friendly (and a bit mayabang and know-it-all and superior) American and his wife was a nice Visayan lady from Dipolog. They used to live in Michigan but now they live in Florida and she is studying elementary education and none of her three years of studying that in Dipolog transferred over... cuz the Philippines is woefully behind. And they’ve been married 8 years and she has been a citizen in the States for 3 years. All that without hardly any talking on my part! Such a good listening ear and excellent memory. Good thing I don’t stalk people. Hah.

On the flight from Manila to Japan, a stewardess rudely woke me up to ask if I wanted breakfast. I didn’t, but ate it anyway. On the way over, they were nice and let me sleep. The food was gross – especially breakfast. It looked like... well, use your imagination. Worse than cafeteria food. They don’t hand out ice cream sandwiches anymore.

I slept a good bit of the way and woke up when I was supposed to be waking up. I was bored and watched (mute) a stupid movie about a mermaid. Didn’t really watch it but figured out most of the (stupid) plot anyway. Too bad they weren’t playing Narnia or Cheaper by the Dozen or even the ridiculous Mary Poppins-ish spooky movie "Nanny McPhee." I was jealous of the baby that got a bassinet thingy to lie in.

So anyway, after sitting around for the longest time, I started thinking about blood clots that start in your leg (sometimes form sitting down for long periods of time) and can get into the lungs. So I got up. Last time, I never got up for 12 hours. (I thought about blood clots then too, but I was asleep for 11 of the hours.)

Some Filipina was ticked off at a Japanese woman (Japanesa?) directing US citizens and resident aliens through customs. The Japanese woman didn’t know that green cards were resident aliens and sent the Filipina down to the visitors place. She came back with a guard and was mumbling things like "How you explain you do not know?" She was mad and had bad English. Twas funny.
Woot! I just talked to Kait and Sun Hee. I realized I like having a cellphone plan for random calls - cuz it’s better than using up load texting. Haha. Never thought I’d see the day.

LATER – I am on the plane which finally took off. I’ve been reading the SkyMall catalogue for an hour. It is quite interesting. The inventions are veyr clever with big fat prices. Here’s a quote: "Persnickety kitties prefer water that’s constantly filtered and aerated in this Water Fountain with bowl. Cats have to drink plenty of water to avoid urinary tract disease." Haha!!! They also sell things for small animals to be able to get up on furniture.
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Now that I am through copying that, I am sitting here just typing, waiting for the plane to get to Newark. I’m kinda hungry. For lunch I had coffee, cracker jacks, and raisins. I ended up throwing away the chicken cheese wheel that Mom packed for me cuz it smelled funny and I was afraid it wouldn’t get through customs and I was worried it was bad. I couldn’t find a trashcan in the airport before I reached customs so I threw it out in the bathroom. HAHA. I make myself laugh. Huh?! Anyway... the customs thing was stupid. I turned in the little form, the guy barely looked at it, and I just dropped everything off at the scanner and went on. So much for that. Oh yeah, at the carousel thing, there were two. I stayed at the first one for a while until I decided my boxes weren’t going to show up there and went to the next one. I had to wait for one box to go around twice before I could retrieve it. Where are strong people when you need them. I also saw a sign that said something like "We pledge to treat you with dignity and respect. We pledge to welcome you to our country..." HAHA!!! There are so many rude people in that airport. "Ma’am! Please hurry up!" Riiiight. Dignity. Respect.

Um... so I when I woke up at 7:30, I stayed awake for 3 and a half boring hours. After the stupid mermaid thing, we had breakfast and then I started a "word study" on the word "love" by using Esword. That’s the first time I used Esword. I miss Logos – the program we use at school. Oh yeah, the reason I was doing that word was cuz one of my friends and I have been discussing what true love is and what it requires of us. Stuff like, "If Christ loved His neighbor as Himself, and He is perfect, how ought we to love?" and, "What does that say about God’s love?" We have discussed how love is in word and deed also, and how we fail miserably. The world says "I love you" and really means "I love me." Also, if we are to imitate Christ in how He loved His neighbor, how much more ought we to love our brethren! So anyway, long explanation for why I was doing the word study on love.

This is quite a cute little plane. I am actually sitting beneath the wing, not above. What I thought when I sat down was about how we are under the wings of the Father. He cares for us. Isn’t that comforting. At one point during the flight to Detroit, there was a lot of turbulence so that they had to postpone the food service for 45 mins. I was thinking that if the plane crashed then, it would shoot me up to glory, but what would I say to the people next to me who were obviously not Christians? Think about that – if you were in a crashing airplane, what would you say to your unconverted seatmate?

Time to shut down the laptop. It’s been so nice chewing your ear off. Haha. Bye.

A new post for UC

That's all I have to say!