Today October 31, 2005

Happy Halloween!

I wasn't feeling well after the hard work I did during the weekend, so I stayed at home. The weather and I were both crappy.

Today, Amigos was celebrating its Halloween Party and I missed it. Here are photos of what I missed.

The rain came with a strong wind. There were a lot of tree limbs mangled on the streets. But in the evening, the skies cleared and the children starting coming for their "Trick or Treat." We had 10 packs of chocolates, and all was gone but one. I enjoyed giving out candies to the kids, even if it meant that I have to eat my dinner and stand up and go to the door to give the candies.

Today October 30, 2005

Sunday morning. I was still so tired and sleepy, but I had to get up and bring LJ to church. I planned to watched LJ performed and talk some more to Mom Lilly and Dad Victor, but Danaea, Nita and Jessica were still asleep. They had a sleepover at the house last night, which I failed to mention in yesterday's blog. I really had so much in my mind.

I then decided that after taking care of LJ and the kids, I will give myself a break and watch a movie, "Flightplan." I have been meaning to watch this show for the past three weeks, and almost always something came up. This time, I said, I will really give it my time and watch it. I called my hubby Skip to tell him of my plans. And I felt stranged, coz he was again driving. I called him earlier and he was driving too. It was really weird. And he sounded disappointed to know that I wanted to watch a movie. So I pursued the matter and ask him. He told me he was going to surprise me and he was already driving home. So, I said, I will watch the movie and go home directly. He said that I should call him once I get out of the movie. I wanted to be with him, but it takes 11 hours to drive from Albuquerque, New Mexico to Dallas, Texas. So I was giving him enough time and maybe when I get out of the movie, he will be near Dallas.

Anyways, I still went inside in good spirits to watch the movie Fligthplan. I bought some popcorn and got a free drink. Then when I was going to the theater, I was surprise why it was in the middle of the movie. I looked for an AMC 16 employee and ask. They told me it was on schedule. I told him, the movie was supposed to start at 3:05 and its 3:05 so how come it was still in the middle of the show. The girl smiled and said, it DST now. You are an hour early.*wink*...

I felt embarrassed and foolish. I went ahead and watched the end part and was meaning to go back and start the movie again when it comes back. Then I decided to call my hubby to know where he was in Texas. I found out he was already home. That was why he sounded down because he was near the house when I called him. He was already unloading his stuff inside. So I decided to scrap again the Flightplan and head home. I don't know what's with Flightplan. I love Jodie Foster and I wanted so much to watch her, but almost always, something came up and I couldn't go and watch it. And like what happened today, I was again unable to watch the whole show.

Today October 29, 2005

Today, I had loads of activities to do.

Danaea, Nita, Jessica and I picked up Fides by Garland train station at 11:40AM. Then we headed to eat at the Razoo's Restaurant. I made Danaea's friends taste alligator's tail (taste like chicken). Here's Nita and Jessica...



Then we went to Manila Ranch so Danaea could assist Mike in the Arnis lessons. Fides and I did a little help with the carrying of the stuff to Ate Zonia's car. While running around with Ate Zonia to help, I saw a familiar face amongst the training attendees (from Chicago, Texas - Austin, Corpus Christi, etc.). A lady looked so familiar. I stared and read her name tag, and I knew she was Mrs. Lilly Canoy, my mom's old friend (back when I was still in high school). So I came near and hug her and told her who I was. It was really a precious moment to met an old friend in such an unexpected place. We hugged and talked for a short while. But I had to go and work and assist Ate Zonia. I was only able to give them my addy, but never got theirs. Here's deb with Lilly Canoy and Victor Canoy of Chicago.



We also got introduced to Linda or "LJ." Fides and I were to accompany LJ to the APO Hiking Society concert tonight. The concert was one of the best Filipino concerts I have attended. I was thankful that LJ took us with her. We were then able to take pictures with the artists at the backstage. Here's some photos...


Danny with me and Fides


Jim and Deb


Fides, Deb and LJ


Concert ended at 10:30, and I brought Fides home. Linda and I went to a drive thru (Sonic), and brought it home. We called Ate Zonia to tell her that Linda will be staying the night over with me and I will be bringing her to the church tomorrow morning.

Today October 28, 2005

It's my flex Friday. I didn't need to go to work. After bringing Danaea and Nita to school, I went home and waited for the Salvation Army pick-up truck to haul the furnitures we dontated.

To my dismay, they only took the furniture I mentioned. They said if I wanted to give some more, I need to call them again and give the specific item names or they will not be able to haul it with them.

I wanted to park my car inside the garage. But with all the junk I keep, it was hard. So after the Salvation Army took some of the furnitures, I had to arrange the garage in a way that my car would fit. It was a hard task. My body was not used to pulling and pushing heavy furniture, but I did just so I could have my car inside the garage.

I wanted to go out and have fun, but after doing a strenous job, I decided to stay home and rest. I have a lot of activities to do on Saturday and I dont want to be overworked.

Today October 27, 2005

What an exciting day it was for me!

It's the pumpkin carving day at Fides place The Bryson. I haven't carve a pumpkin and I was so excited to join. Fides and I didn't win any price, but we enjoyed it so much. Here's some photos of me and Fides and our pumpkin. Fides was so kind that she gave me the pumpkin for Danaea.







And before I end, I also got to talk to my "brod" (Vince) online and we chatted for awhile and exchanged photos. It was really fun! I am having a great time finding long lost friends online. A few days ago it was my friend Dodong Realse I chatted online. My, my, my, the world is getting smaller for me with the internet. *Smile*

Today October 26, 2005

I had a busy day at work. Updating AmigosNow and putting up the October AAOC on the web. I didn't take a break so I could finish it all, I just ate at my desk.

In the evening, my favorite show "Law and Order" was a repeat. I then went online to check emails, update my blog and chat with a ggod friend (Arthur) in Saudi Arabia. I enjoyed our chat online, about life and where we are now, and how it was before.


Let me congratulate my friend Joy Wells, she just got sworned in today as an American Citizen. CONGRATULATIONS Joy and Chuck!

Today October 25, 2005

Just like yesterday, my day went well.

I was supposed to watch the premier showing of "Nine Lives" with Fides, but I forgot. I am glad she was able to watch it with her friend from her place. She said the movie was good.

I got a call from Nemia Suarez-Smith, a friend and kababayan. Nemia comes from the same city (Iligan City) as I do in the Philippines.

Then I got a chance to finally call, a long lost friend who is now in the US for the past 8 months if I am correct, and he and his wife are both in North Carolina. His name is Dodong Realse. It was nice to talk to him and about life and how he and his wife is doing and Iligan and "college stuff."

Oh, and before I forget, Skip and I are so proud of Danaea. She not only got two invitations from schools with Magnet Programs, now there's three. The Garland High School also sent her one. Now she tells us, since she has been a great kid and student, she really deserves that iPod for her birthday come November. *smile* We know she does. So I'm hoping that everything goes well and she gets her birthday wish.

Today October 24, 2005

Monday, Monday, Monday!

Today went well. I mailed my friend in California, Mimi Brown some dried fish and pastries (utap). I also mailed Jeff, Skip's nephew or our nephew some of Eva's wedding photos, Danaea's letter and sketch, "to entertain him," as he put it, while he is training in Fort Sill, Oklahoma.

I start my flex week today, so I go home late every night until Thursday, and I get the whole Friday off. I'm looking forward to my Friday off, so many things to do. Come Saturday my lady friends Fides and Mipette are planning to go dancing in some Dallas club. We still don't know exactly where we want to go. It sure sounds fun (dancing)!

Today Oct. 23, 2005

Brrrrrr! It is a cold Sunday morning!

Today I am supposed to eat lunch with my friend Amy Coburn. She had been to so many operations for this and that. I can't even keep up on what they were. But I am so glad that she is feeling better, and everything is over with. She just needs to visit the doctor yearly to check up on all those problems. Which reminds me that I need to do it myself too. Aaagggghhh!

I asked my daughter Danaea, if she wanted to eat out with a friend, but she said she just wanted to stay home. I promised her that I bring food for her.

As I was getting ready to dress, our home phone rang and I answered it. To my surprise it was Mama Jean, my mother-in-law. She said she brought some Halloween muffin for the baby. Yes that's Danaea! hehehe...

She wanted to take us out girls to lunch. I was trying to tell Mama how about dinner. She said it was still 12noon. I figured she might be hungry and just wanted lunch. Hmmmm... I was in trouble. I need to met my friend because it has been a long time since I saw her, and this lunch with her has been postphoned even before I left for the Philippines. I didnt think it was right to blow her away because I have to eat with Mama Jean.

On the other hand, I love Mama Jean. I dont ever want to say No to her. So I called my hubby Skip and asked him, how do I handle this and not make my mother-in-law feel bad.

Brilliant Skip said, go pick up Mama. Don't tell her about your date with your friend Amy. Just say, "Mama I am going to take you out for lunch somewhere special." hehehe... So that is exactly what I did.

Mama was surprised why we were driving for about 30 minutes and we still haven't stop to eat. hehehe... Poor Mama! I just talked and talked to her to keep her amused and that I will bring her somewhere fancy.

Then my friend called, and I didn't tell my friend about Mama either, and we all had lunch at Mercado Juarez restaurant. I told Mama I will take care of the tab, and so she offered to buy me groceries. Oh, Mama Jean is such a sweetheart! I thanked her for the offer, but told her I will take care of our groceries too! I enjoyed that brief meeting with my friend, and most of all I enjoyed it because I was able to bring Mama Jean with me and eat out.

I had planned a big day. But with the cold weather, Mama and I just headed back home. I decided to blew all my other skeds or errands to do and just stayed home the whole day. I needed the rest anyways. And of course I brought Danaea something to eat.

Today, Oct. 22

I had fun today going out with my lady friends Mipette Nixon and Fides Pacheco.

The day started with us eating lunch at the California Pizza Kitchen (CPK), at Stonebriar Mall in Frisco. Then we watched "Elizabethtown" in AMC 24. After the movie, we headed to the shops!!!

We went crazy with the sales in GAP and EXPRESS... Now we have shirts that have the same design - the colors just varies...*wink* Isnt that fun? We promised to call each other when we met, so we would not be wearing the same thing.

I got me some nice shirts and butterscotch long coat and I got Danaea a blue coat with hood.

I have been out of circulation for awhile. I had so many activities to do. I will try to make a short note everyday. Just so, my blog would not be empty.

I have lots of stories to tell... but then again, I dont have that much time to chatter online. *Sigh* Time was on high speed for me, these couple of months. Hopefully I will be able to catch up and tell you some of my many memorable memories.

Tonight, Danaea and I are going to attend a school orientation with the North Garland High School. She has been invited to their magnet program called, Math, Science, Technology Magnet. This is a good thing, if she continues to excel in class, she might be able to join the team. Again, we are so proud of her and her achievements as a young girl. Thanked God for that!

Today October 19, 2005

A photo inside Eva and Don's apartment and other Vegas photos:

Today October 18, 2005

Here are some more photos of our weekend trip in Las Vegas.

Boulder Station, we had dinner with Eva and her fiancee October 14. While waiting for them, Skip and Danaea had a ball in the arcade section of the casino.

Today October 17, 2005

The trip to Las Vegas was so exhaustive. The Circus Circus hotel wasn't at all good. It was so noisy. There were so many kids running around. The rooms didn't smell fresh at all. Stratosphere was better and cheaper. I should have remained stick to it. But I thought something different this time. Well, maybe next time, I will get something a bit expensive, make sure we get a good one.

Here's some photos of our hotel inside... the hallway to the rooms














and the adventuredome

Today October 16, 2005

Finally the wedding was over. Eva and Don, met us at the DJ Bibingkahan by Maryland Parkway and Karen Ave for breakfast and some of my friends were able to come and join us. One of the cook in this restaurant "Dong," used to be a cook in a filipino restaurant (Kalesa) near our house in Dallas. It was always nice to see a familiar face in a far away place.

Eva and Don hurriedly left when my friends came. It was strange.

Skip and I then went for a quick visit Tess house. It was a pretty house.


Danaea stayed in the hotel, because she said she was tired. Then before lunch, we all headed out to the airport. Danaea and I were leaving on a separate plane to El Paso, while Skip was on his way to Albuquerque, New Mexico. After our El Paso trip we were then to wait for a couple of hours and take another plane to Dallas. It was almost midnight when we got home.

Here's a few view from the hotel (Circus Circus)
















and at nighttime

Today Oct 15, 2005

My cousin Eva married Don Cunningham in the Little Chapel of the Flowers, Las Vegas, Nevada. Skip, Danaea and I flew to Las Vegas friday night to witness this very important day of their lives. And here are some photos...

Today October 14, 2005

Danaea and I flew with Southwest Airlines to met Skip in Albuquerque, New Mexico and then the three of us flew to Las Vegas, Nevada. Luckily for us, Skip earned a lot of free trips, that we got to use it for this trip.

Eva and her fiancee Don, met us at the airport. It was so nice to see my cousin Eva after 5 long years. I gave her both the wedding gowns I bought because she didn't look like a size 6 to me (which was the size I got her). I was glad, I bought myself a gown which I intended to use and renew our vows, if time permits.