Today January 28, 2006

Hep Hep Hurrah for Danaea!!!

Today is the third Saturday that Danaea and her basketball team played. For the past two saturdays, they lost the game. They were amateurs and inexperience. You could tell by watching their game that they don't know anything about it at all.

I cheered for them every saturday, and before the game ends... I will lose my voice. So much for cheering. I was so loud. Danaea got embarrassed by me. *mischievous grin* I promised her that today, I will behave and not yell much.

Danaea was not looking forward today because she felt that their team is going to lose again. She has played well, and every game she has developed confidence and some skills. She could get the ball from the opponent and could pass it so quickly. The problem was, even it was too fast, even her team mates didn't see it coming...

Oh well, we still encourage her to continue on what she was doing. Maybe this time, the team would be awake...

In her first game, she didn't get to wear her glasses. She couldn't hardly see the ball and the goal. The second game, she was able to see things clearly, but wasn't able to move with ease for fear that her glasses would fall off. We promised to buy her a safety bond to hold her glasses in the next few days.

But Saturday came for the third game, we still didn't get her that safety bond. She said it was ok, they would lose anyway... This third game started at 8AM on a rainy day. We thought nobody in her team would show up and they would be at default.

Well it wasn't so... The team was complete. Like I promised, I didn't cheer (for the first 20 minutes). It was my husband Skip who was cheering for Danaea... as it turned out. Their team was playing well. Danaea is one of the first five players of their team. And she was so great!!! She not only got the ball from the other team, she was also making goals. Wow! I couldn't help myself but break my promise and started cheering for their team... *big smile*... They were all doing great! Well, the fact that the other team couldn't make a goal also helped. But they had one player that was very good and making the scores too. But Danaea and her other team mates were more aggressive this time, so it really helped a lot. Although they need to pay more attention about the rebound... they most of the time just stand there when one attempts to shoot a ball... they don't rebound.

Danaea's team called the "Black Widow" won the game. I forgot the scores... hehehe...
But she got the player of the day award from the coach... she really shined that day! We were all so proud of her.

Today January 15, 2006

The incident about my cousin is slowly getting better. I thanked God again for his help! Please help us pray that we be able to help her secured her stay in the US. I can't again discuss more about it, because the husband has always been online and who knows he might be reading my blog right now.

He called me two days after she ran away. And he had the gall to tell me that she was missing and that he filed a missing person's report. This guy is something else. He knew and he saw her ran away from him when he was hurting her... He saw the police car talking to his wife... and the police even talked to him... The gall of him to call me and tell me she was missing... Who is he fooling? He kept calling and emailed me and harassed me... He even threatened me that my helping her disappear is illegal. That he would have her deported... He is lucky, that my cousin was still in a shock and she wasn't able to think straight... or he would have found himself in jail for trying to kill her in the car.

Before my cousin got to the USA... I told her I wanted to talk to her fiancee and make friends with him since he will become family... and guess what? He told her, that he was old and the phone ringing would be a big disturbance to him... Now, is that really how a fiancee should react to a relative. I found it very strange that he wanted no connection with us. So I never got to call her.

I told her to just give me the number so that when she gets to the USA... we can call her that day and welcome her. Guess what? We did call and no one answered. Come to find out, it was a cellphone. They didn't have a house phone. And the excuse was that, the husband left his cellphone at home. So that is why our calls were never answered. I told my cousin, there is a phone booth everywhere, why didn't her husband let her call and tell us she was fine and she is now in the USA. She said that it took so long for her luggage to get in... they were hungry they had to eat... just many lame excuses... I didn't buy it...

Everytime I call and my cousin answers, she would always have to speak english, and I didnt understand why? We have our own dialect, why english? Not that we are hiding something... but as you all know... it is more spontaneous if you use your dialect. Not only was she speaking english, but our conversations would just be short... Like a hi and hello and we are going somewhere... it was not a regular talk with a relative... it sounded more like a business talk... Anyways, I just shrugged my shoulder on this weird act... Then, as the days went by... my cousin told me I shouldn't call much, because her husband doesn't want her talking on the phone because the bill would be big. I told her I can buy her a phone card and she can call at night time so it wouldnt be hard on them. Or that I call her at night myself since my phone has a free nights and weekends plan into it. Still, she insisted that her husband is not happy with her talking to us on the phone... Until it came to the point that I am not allowed to call her, nor is she allowed to call me. That is when my suspicion was growing that there is something wrong with this marriage... She has no freedom to talk to her relatives... She was not given access to contact friends and relatives... He only allows her from time to time to use his cellphone and only if she speaks english... and he understands every word she is saying.

And now, when he abused her and she rans away... I am the person he calls... like I was his bestfriend or something... when he himself put the wall or block from my being able to communicate with my cousin...

Today January 14, 2006

Friday was very emotional, the Saturday was even more so. I thanked the Lord for saving my cousin from her abusive husband. God answered our prayers! She finally got the guts to ran away from the guy and call for the police to help her. After the police interviewed her, they brought her to the hospital for medical check-up and record the abuse she suffered. Then they called a social worker and then brought her to the shelter.

I finally got to talk to my cousin and we both cried on the phone. I told her not all caucasians are like that. She just happen to got married to one. My husband is a caucasian, but he is such a darling. We assured her that we will help her.

I know she suffered badly, but I am so thankful to God for finally getting her out of that abusive conditions. Praise the Lord!

Today January 13, 2006

Finally, it's my flex day! I don't need to go to work. I can continue cleaning my mess in the house. My husband and I were planning to go watch a movie. But it got postphoned because Danaea had a basketball practice. So he just continued working and I tidied up.

Then Skip got a call from Albuquerque. They wanted him to be there next week. His boss begged him and told him that it was really important that he helped them out in some problems so they wouldn't lose any money on the project. I knew then, that there would be times like this. And Skip told me that if I didn't want him to go, I just say the word. But since, I too am a worker, I know how it is. He needs to go there and help them out. I then went online to book him his tickets.

As I was booking the tickets... I opened my emails... and I got so terrified when I saw an email telling me to call a number in Las Vegas and it said it was an emergency. I was praying and hoping that nothing bad happened to my cousin who was an abused wife. I didn't recognize the name of the email address, it was from some other person, but still I opened it, because deep in me, I felt like it was not a spam and it was really from my cousin. I got hold of the number and dialed it... and I was shaking when the other end answered... "Emergency." I was aghast to know that the number I called was a hospital... the emergency unit. I then explain to the nurse that I was calling because I got an email about my cousin... and she told me to hold on and I waited for about a minute... but I was already frantic and fearful of what the answer would be...

Then I heard a woman answer the other end, she was a filipina. So we were able to talk in our language and she told me "horrible things." Things that my cousin had endured as an abuse wife... and I couldn't help myself... but cry out so loud... My husband got so worried looking at me whaling like a hurt animal... what she told me was so horrible... and for legal reasons I can't tell you all about it... Just trust me when I say it was horrible and you would be crying too if you knew what it was...

The hospital had a medical report about her and they brought her to the Abuse Women/Child Shelter. They gave me a number to call and contact name. And because it is very confidential, that is all I could say.

Please just help me pray that everything will be go well with my cousin. And that we be able to help her in her case. God Bless you All!

Today January 12, 2006

I guess, I make a boboo everyday... hehehe... Makes life exciting (although sometimes embarrassing and annoying)

Well, the boboo for today was this...

I punch the redial key of my cellphone. When I heard the other line being answered, I just blurted out the words "Hello Handsome." And it was strange, I can't hardly hear the other person on the line... so I said it even louder "Hello Handsome!" And I heard the same soft voice of a male person. This time it made me look at my phone to know who the heck I was calling... Oooppsie... I was calling my favorite restaurant which I just called earlier to order a take out. I suddenly hung up. So red and embarrased. *giggles* I then called our home and laughingly told my husband of my boboo.

It was so funny! My husband said, maybe I get my lunch for free. Gosh, I hope it doesn't have a caller ID because I was driving that way to pick up my lunch. At the counter, there was a young oriental man at the counter. It made me smile thinking, he must have been blown away that a woman would just call him and tell him "handsome." He did look at me as I paid, but I saw no recognition or connection from the previous call, so I was so relieved. If he put two and two together, I will not be able to go call again my order in advance. Well, I guess I will have to use somebody else's phone.

Today January 11, 2006

I was a happy camper after yesterday's research. I have sent my cousin an email telling her to report and be brave about it. I also talked to a lawyer yesterday, and the same opinion was given. She has to report the incidents and abuse herself. So let's pray that she be given the opportunity and be brave in her heart to do it.

I made a boboo... I left my wallet and I was about to pay for my groceries and I didn't have money with me. I was glad though that I had three dollars and I was able to buy Skip his Ginger Tea. I just ate leftover for lunch.

In the evening my daughter had her basketball practice and I picked her up. We then rented the movie "Red Eye." It was a good show. I admired the woman. I wish my cousin Eva was like her. She had the "balls" as they say it.

Today January 10, 2006

Worrying about my cousin made me look online to see about abuse and battered wife. I was so happy to note that there is help for them.

In Canada, they have website called Education Wife Assault and the Wife Abuse/Assault , these links tell you signs to determine if you are an abuse wife. Then they other sites on Wife Abuse: Impact on Children, Wife Abuse A Crime and lots more.

In America, these are some of the sites: Wife Abuse as an Emerging Healthcare Issue, Plain Talk About Wife Abuse, Why Does An Abused Wife Respond The Way She Does, and many more.

In other countries, here some of the sites Domestic Violence, Female Suide Wife Abuse, SDNP, Wife Abuse in Palestine Society and others.

But the best result I got for my cousin was on this site: Immigration Benefits as Battered Spouse or Child. There is now hope for her. She just needs to be brave enough to report these abuses and she can petition for herself. She doesn't need to be intimidated now. I am excited and I can't wait to share this information to her.

Today January 9, 2006

Monday! Oh dear! It's working day again.

I got an email from my cousin Eva. She was at home without her husband. Her hubby was working as a security guard and he was told that she could not bring his wife with him. Hence, she had a free day without him and she was able to email me and chat with me and tell me her situation. She told me her husband strangle her the other night. She ran outside the apartment in her nighties and barefooted. Her husband catch up with her and drag her back to their room. She felt embarrased being in her nighties, but she said she was really going to ran away if he didn't catch up with her.

Oh dear! I pray that God watch over my cousin always. I pray that God give her strength to call for help from her neighbors or the people she sees. That soon, she can get away from this madman. And she said, he threatened her again, that he will send her back to the Philippines and ruin her reputation so that she could never set foot in the USA again. That he would make up stories that the INS would believe. That he rather see her back in the Philippines, than be here in the USA with me.

Today January 8, 2006

Skip was still badly coughing over the night. We both didn't get much sleep. We just decided to stay in the house. We rented "Bad News Bears" and watch it. It was a crazy but funny show.

Today January 7, 2006

Alas! It's Saturday! Gives us time to safekeep the christmas tree and christmas decors.

After the clean-up, Skip and I went to see the movie "Munich." It was too long, but it was a good one.

Today, was also a big day for Danaea. She got a mail saying she was accepted in the MST Magnet Program (Math, Science and Technology Magnet Program) of North Garland High School. We are so proud of her. We pray and hope that she will do her best in whatever she undertakes.

Today January 6, 2006

I had to leave earlier from work. I feel so crappy and cold by lunch time.

I finally sent some money to my brother Adonis, he lost his job! But he said he is applying for a new one. I pray to God he be guided always and he be a more responsible person.

I also got a call from my cousin Eva Cunningham's bestfriend Eva. She told me my cousin ask for her help about her situation. In fact, my cousin told her to call me up. Unfortunately, my cellphone has been acting up and I don't seem to get the calls that people are giving me. It sucked. My hubby Skip got to talked to Eva's hubby Terry. They both discuss on how to help my cousin Eva get out of her situation (abuse wife).

Earlier today, I also got reconnected with an old co-worker (NSC). Her name is Lulut Magoncia. We had a good time talking about the past and the whereabouts of our old buddies. She just got to the US, last month (Dec. 5, 2005). I also got to talked to Siony and reminded her of our christmas photos. I told her our photos might grow some molds if she will not developed it soon (wink*). Siony and her kids was under the weather too like me and my family.

Danaea had her basketball practise today, and fortunately this time, I remembered well how to get back to the place and pick her up... the last two times, I got lost... hehehe... I have a hard time seeing and driving at night... I think my eyes are going bad and I need eyeglasses... Finally, my friends can get back at me and make fun of me with my glasses... I used to tease some of them when we go out and the have to pull their glasses to look at the menu... Now we will have to do high five I guess!

Today January 5, 2006

Work kept my day busy today... Got some ginger tea for my hubby Skip. He still has the crappy cough and colds.

Today - January 4, 2006

Finally, back to work and back to school for Danaea and me. Skip is at home still sick but trying to do some computer work. Poor hubby! I wish he feels better now.

I went online and ordered my Mama Nene a mini grill which she has been longing for. It will be delivered to her in 10 days. It's supposed to be a surprise gift.

Today - January 3, 2006

We still felt crappy. I wasn't able to go and work today. But we were able to have my tires fix for tomorrow. We bought four new tires for my car and it cost $548.97. Wow! Another expense that we never budgeted.

TODAY - January 2, 2006

We had a quite New Year! I guess it was because we are still sick. It's a bummer! I wanted to go out shopping for clearance sale.

TODAY - January 1, 2006

Happy New Year! May everyone have a great 2006 ahead of them!

I have been on a vacation and I haven't been able to update my blog. I will just work back the last month of December with a photo and a story of our christmas vacation.

I would like to give special thanks to the people that shared their comments and their prayers for our friends and family. May God be with you always and bless you!

Here's our New Year Preparation Photos:

December 31, 2005

We finally got home in Dallas!!! Home Sweet Home! No place like home!

For our daughter Danaea, its different though... its Room Sweet Room! She will hibernate again in her room for days and days and we will not see her... hehehe... Teenagers! Whew! But we love her so...

Here's a photo of one white tiger of Siegfried & Roy in The Mirage Hotel:

December 30, 2005

I made a big boboo today! We were supposed to fly back to Dallas today at 9AM. But for some reason, I remembered the time to be 11AM...

We packed our bags, got checked out, went to the Business office of The Mirage to print our boarding pass... then... it wouldn't let me. I had to call AIRTRAN and ask them why it wasn't allowing me to print our pass. It was then, that we discovered, our plane already left. I was so shocked! And I felt so bad... there was only one seat available for today. And we might be paying additional charges for tomorrow's flight. We called other airlines and learned that even if we paid additional charges for tomorrow's flight, it would still be the cheapest option for us. So I was advised to call customer service of AIRTRAN and they facilitated us very well. I am not sure yet how much we have to pay additional, but I really like their service. They were so accomodating.

Then I scouted online for a different hotel... found out they were expensive but not as beautiful as the one we were staying... so we opted to extend a night's stay in The Mirage.

Naturally, our rental car also had to be extended with AVIS, and it was $169.00 more a day including the taxes and other fees... which I think was ridiculous... but since I made the boboo... what can I say... but take it all in...

December 29, 2005

We got so tired from the long drive yesterday... Danaea just stayed in the hotel room while Skip and I rode around the city and visited the Primm Outlet, about 35 miles away from the city of Las Vegas. Skip and Danaea were both under the weather, so I did the driving to the mall.

I wasn't able to take pictures because I was already on my shopping mode... hehehehe... I bought a few stuff and Skip got me a CSI shirt. Last year, I got Danaea, Greg (stepson-in-law) and Skip a CSI shirt. This year, I became a part of their team with my new shirt.

Here's the photo of the shirt:

December 28, 2005

The Glorietta Bay Inn was a great place to stay over for the night. We got a suite with two rooms, one with a king bed, the other a queen size, with two separate bathrooms. I was out of memory card, so I was not able to take any pictures of it at all. There was a living room and a dining space and there was a small patio table outside the room. There were two television, one in the master room and the other in the living room. The living room also had a dvd player. It was really neat! I wish we knew it was that awesome, we could have stayed an extra day... then there was a complimentary breakfast too.. not bad for a price of $169.00 a night.

Wow! It was a long drive from Coronado (Newsletter) to Los Angeles (LA Times online news), then to Las Vegas (Las Vegas Sun online news). We left Coronado at 9AM and arrived in Los Angeles about 12:30NN. Then left at about 1PM for Las Vegas. The drive was supposed to take four and a half hours, but there were so many cars along the freeway 5. We arrived in Las Vegas at 6PM. We thought the traffic in Los Angeles was crazy, we didn't realize it was equally bad in Las Vegas. Fortunately for us, Las Vegas is not as big as Los Angeles.

I had to call The Mirage and make sure our room was reserved from Dec. 28 - Dec. 30.

Here's some photos of Coronado:

Famous Hotel del Coronado, Glorietta Bay Inn (reception area),San Diego - Coronado Bridge, San Diego Bay, and Sunset view while driving in San Diego - Coronado Bridge

December 27, 2005

We checked out of the crappy Ramada Inn (located at 3900 Willshire). We were so bummed in that place and were so happy to finally leave the place for good and never recommend that place or any Ramada Inn for that matter.

Mama Nene decided to go with us (Deb, Skip and Danaea) to San Diego. Our drive to San Diego was supposedly three hours and thirty minutes from Los Angeles, but the traffic was bad. It took us five hours to reach San Diego. I purchased a GO SAN DIEGO CARD for a day. It was a good buy, for you could see a lot of other places for the price of $49 per adult. But for us, we never got to benefit from it. We got in San Diego around 2PM, we had to look for the visitor center to get our tickets to the San Diego Zoo. The zoo closes at 4PM. We had to take the tour, so we could view the whole place and get some photos. Then after the 35 minute tour, all the other places to visit with the card were close and we were already exhausted. We were hungry and we still didn't know where to stay for the night. I had been calling hotels in San Diego and they were charging $129.00 per night, and they were not even 3 stars hotel. So we just decided to drive around the city and look. Then we saw the bridge... I told Skip that it connects to Coronado... so we all drove to the bridge... and we were pleasantly surprise. The place was beautiful! We wanted to check in at the famous Hotel del Corenado, but there was a crowd... we just check around and called other hotels and we got the best price of them all for $169.00 (suite room) at the Glorietta Bay Inn. Just in front of the Hotel del Coronado. It looked very nice...

Here's some photos from the San Diego Zoo:

December 26, 2005

We were supposed to travel to San Diego today, but the weather was yacky. We will not enjoy the zoo with all the rainshower going on. So today, we decided to just go beach hopping.

We picked up Mama Nene from Nene and Larry Ramollete's place, and headed to Santa Monica Beach. It was foggy, but still the sight of the ocean makes me smile. Here are some photos:
























































The only eye irritant was the Arlington West Memorial which the Veterans for Peace Iraq war protestors made in the Santa Monica Pier. In my opinion, there are other places where they can appropriately place it. Not on a beach where you go with your family and kids and enjoy it and suddenly you see the crosses. It takes out the pleasure of the day of strolling in the beach. It's like going to a Senior's prom in your gowns, then suddenly one guy decides to attend and brings a funeral gasket... spoils the fun of the party. Good if it was a Halloween Party, because it would be appropriate, but it's not. Here's a photo:














Then, we drove to visit the famous Malibu Beach area. There were many surfers with the high tide and parking was hard, so I wasn't able to take a photo of the surfers. We just took a photo of the other surrounding that had the name or sign MALIBU on it. Here's a photo: