Veronica

It’s been more than a week since the earthquake struck Sichuan, China. When I first heard the news from my friends receiving it from my messenger, They were asking me if I felt the quake? and I said “no, I was teaching then” maybe i didn’t feel it cause I was in motion, (doing silly faces and gestures to make my students laugh ha! ha! ) teaching my students or maybe we were just on the second floor or maybe we’re really far from the quake (thank God!).

 At that night when i was reading my Yahoo news, I saw stories and videos about China. Then I opened 1(one) video it was in Beijing, i thought it was just a hoax cause I was thinking maybe they don’t like people to come to China to attend the Olympics, (remember there are so many people want to boycott the event) but sad to say, it was true! 

I had a taste of the earthquake too, It was back in July 16,1990. I was young then and playing with my friends when the earth started to shake. I thought it was my friend who was shaking the car but I was in doubt that he can be that strong. After that incident, everybody started screaming. What I remembered was…. I was in this place where people were praying to their saints and I was praying with them too. My father at the time, was determined to look for my sister at the city center. Thank God because none of us got hurt. But I think, since then my sister gets scared so easily. She’s doing fine.

My family and friends started to contact me asking if I was okay, I never sent an email confirming that I’m still alive,cause I really didn’t know it was a big story in the Philippines, especially they were saying that most of the destroyed building were schools. Then, I confirmed that I am alive and kicking.

Since Monday, China was Mourning for the victims. It’s good that they slowed down the internet connection so people would stop entertaining themselves for 3 days. I think that move from the government was very good. In my part it was also good cause, I had enough sleep. Lately, I’ve been always dizzy cause I stayed up late watching Smallville and I’m in season 3, maybe you are laughing right now cause I’m still in season 3. I don’t have to expalin why? ha! ha!

Anyway, If you have any donations for the earthquake victims, please do contact the Government of China. It will be a very big help.

It’s better to give than to receive.

I planned of going out with my new found friends on my birthday. I was so anxious of what will they think of when we reach the restaurant.

China has many talents, one of which is being a cook. For only a few cents it can bring you to Zeus because it has a strange but powerful taste. They have this soup that I like, what you should do is just pick a food that you like, for the cook to put in your soup then a very hot broth will cook the food that you picked. You can also tell the cook if you like your soup to be spicy or very spicy or very very spicy. Actually, they have 3 degrees of spicyness. First degree will be spicy, second degree will be very spicy and the third degree will be very very spicy.  For me, below the first degree will do. If you have tasted wasabi, then that is below the first degree, imagine how hot it is?

The day had come for me to celebrate my natal day. I celebrated it with my family through internet and with friends here in China. When I was waiting for them at the guard house, I was still anxious on how they will react about the place. They didn’t know it was my birthday only Glory knew (she was a good keeper of secrets) that’s why when they came they were surprised because I was holding a cake given by my boss and there they had a clue that it was my birthday.  A few minutes had past and we reached the place but before really reached the restaurant, I had a sudden change of mind and told them “maybe we can go to another restaurant?” and they said ” no, this place is fine”. I taught them how to order,  while we were waiting for the food they sang a beautiful song. The soup had arrived and when they tasted it they  said ” this is good” then….there! It all went nice!

After eating, we went to different stalls to look for bling blings. I saw this military like cap that I like so much, I was really trying it out to see if it really fits but I really had to pause and think thoroughly if I really need the cap. I decided that maybe I can buy it next time. I also saw some things that I liked but still I thought of buying important ones than likes. My friends also bought what they liked.

After my window shopping, we all started to walk back home. When we were near our place, my friends gave all what they bought and I was surprised, as in very surprised. I didn’t expect them to give me anything and besides I’m already old. They said ” we were looking at the things that you liked and bought it for you, happy birthday!”. 

People like this are rare. If you are abroad some destroys you buy pulling you down, we call this “crab mentality” wherein if you are starting to go up out the pot, another crab will pull you down. I’m not saying I’m going up but I heard and experience that before. Life abroad is so different and I’m glad I met people who are nice and willing to be a good friend. I owe all this to God.

I was smiling from gate to my apartment. Thanks for the soup because it all turned out to be a big soup..rise!

Last Friday, was my first time to go outside this city, alone!. I was a little scared because it’s hard to communicate to people that don’t have the same language as you do and if ever they do have a little knowledge in English language they tend to shun away, it’s like you are filty or something but I do understand what they are doing to me (and maybe other foreigners too) I also was like that back in High School. I was thinking maybe my English will be wrong pronunciation or wrong grammar, but I have learned lately that there is not really a correct English (as my teacher always say),  it always depend on the country you live in and what they use. Like, back in my country when I let my students have their spelling, I always put an X to those who spell PRACTICE as PRACTISE or ORGANIZE-ORGANISE but it turns out that in other countries it’s accepted ( I know these are just simple words, but hey! some boss are strict. For those students out there, follow what your teachers say : ) ). Anyway, back to the story. When I finally found my car seat, I was a bit relieved but still tensed on what will happen next. I sent an SMS to a Filipino friend I just met and she said just follow where the crowd goes and that will be your exit ha ha ha, it turned out that she was right! I waited for an hour and a half for the person who will fetch me because again fear entered me…..I don’t know how to ride the subway/metro! maybe you’re laughing right now, It’s okay! you’ll have your turn someday maybe not riding a subway but maybe riding a “kalesa” ( a kind of transportation in my country) ha! ha!… I did everything I had to do in that place and it turned out that they liked me and had a callback. So, the second time I went to that place I had to go alone, It was fun experimenting things. Atleast, I returned safe and sound!

Next time you want to do something, just do it! If you have a dream but you’re scared of doing it, do it anyway. If what you did went wrong, don’t blame other people! If you got fired it’s a nature’s way of saying you had a bad/wrong job anyway.

Do you love your wife as you love yourself? Do you care for your wife as you care for your child? Do you think of her more than you think of your job? Do you dream of her more than you dream of your gun? Do you mind what she will say more than what others might say? Do you text her more than you text your company? Do you often see her picture more than a famous model? Do you want her to shut up more than your car’s engine? Do you wish to eat alone more than to eat with her?

It’s all up to you, men!

In every man’s success, there is always a woman behind!

Am I successful?

Are you also asking this question? Well, I can’t answer your question because I also don’t know the right answer, I think it depends upon the person on how he/she measures success, right?

For me, I think I’m still in the letter S,…. U-C-C-E-S-S are still way ahead of me.. Actually, in my life there are more failures than successes but I would never close myself for a rainbow to come. I don’t know if this will help you. A friend who always inspires me, once told me that ” I believe that your family will be succesful because you have the determination to succeed” ( I always asks myself where she gets those inspiring words). These words really helped me move further to the goal, the goal to succeed in life. Maybe this words will help you too.

For those who are in the same level as I am ( the letter “S”) let’s move on..

For those who are already starting the next level ( UCCESS) continue on…

For those who are still behind (SUCCESS)..start lifting your finger and work on…

Never forget that we will never be successful, without the ALMIGHTY guiding us!

It’s cold in China, The temperature is going down
But what keeps me warm
Are the mem’ries you kept in my mind
I miss you, son

When I feel like going home
Thinking that you are troubled or something wrong
You were there to tell me
That you are doing fine and nothing’s wrong.

Maybe you are wondering where your mother is
Maybe you are asking for her presence
Maybe you want her hug and care
But you can’t really understand why.

I’m sorry we were not complete last Christmas
I’m sorry we will not be complete this Christmas
But one thing is for sure
We feel that we are complete, cause we have each other in our hearts.

These things that I thought of
Makes me melt down on the floor
Makes me cry and cry then give up
Makes me go home instantly

But I still have many plans and dreams for you
All I pray is for
You to be good
You to love the Lord

My son, I hope you understand
In life we have to sacrifice
For the people we love
That’s why I’m here because I love you so so much!

Take care!

Hi to everyone!

Last Friday, our boss invited us for a dinner to celebrate her new apartment. I was so excited because FOOD is my second name. I waited eagerly, then Sunday came..We went to a nice restaurant and started ordering. I don’t know what to order so, I let them order for me. While waiting for the food, I was talking to my Polish friends (co-workers) and I told them that we should observe what they do (because we might violate some traditions) and just follow what they do. The chopsticks were not friendly to me that night so I requested for a fork and knife, after a few minutes I used my friendly fingers, It was finger-likin’ good!.

What caught my attention that night was, on how they toss glasses, it’s quite different from western countries but the purpose is the same…to celebrate!. The first dish served was like a ham, I was a little frustrated because it was only a ham!, but more and more food were coming , my eyes got bigger and bigger and my stomach got fuller and fuller. I counted all the dishes that i ate and it was all 18 dishes, really amazing huh!? Can you imagine how full I was? I told my boss Xie Xie, in English Thank you!. I was thankful ’cause I was very full and enjoyed the night and created a bond with new workmates. The night turned out nice and smooth.

Welcome to your blog!