Ruby Tuesday#63 Taking Too Long

"This is taking way too long for my own liking. Am already growing broom hairs on my head!" This is how the girl seems to say in this photo.

There were more than 24 dance group-participants for the Indak-indak sa Kadalanan (Dancing In the Streets) of Kadayawan Festival last August 21. The streets were not only clogged onlookers while the sun was beating down mercilessly on everything that crossed its path.

This is my entry for Ruby Tuesday. See more Ruby Tuesday entries here.

Sunday Stealing#60 The Majorly Personal Meme, Part Two

Today we ripped this meme off a blog that is written by a group of high school students. The blog is called Eternal Fireworks. The writers are: Michael, Kynan, Alex, Kenny, Chris, Leo, Shelley, Athy, Bam, Tina, and Bnita. There is no statement as to where it came from. But, it was probably stolen there as well. So, of course, that will be as far as we go. Tracing back our theft's thieves might take some time. It is a long meme and we shall do it in parts. Link back to us at Sunday Stealing!

Sunday Stealing: The Majorly Personal Meme, Part Two

Cheers to all of us thieves!

21. If you were to live your life without your best friend, what would change?
The long talks, the laugh-til-you-cry moments and an ally, those things would change for me. 

22. Tell us about an era of your life that you really miss.
An era wherein all my cards are always available to talk to..most of them now are always busy and going somewhere else.

23. Have you ever been betrayed by someone that came as a complete surprise? Without revealing the person, if yes, tell us about it.
Yes. As expected it's somebody I considered a friend and in the end, I realized she's just in for the competition. 

24. Do you ever think that is a good idea to hide your feelings?
A lot of times, I do. 

25. Tell us about your favorite year when you were a student.
I was in high school, senior year. I was a choir member and we were in on a lot of activities and even TV appearances. At the same time, we were required to maintain our grades as a requirement for being in the choir. It was fun but it has a lot of pressure. 

25. When was the last time you were in a very good mood? What caused it?
Just yesterday, it was a good day. We went to Eden Nature Park with some visiting relatives from US. We took a lot of pictures and some of the relatives did some fishing. 

26. Have you ever had a romantic relationship with a sibling of a good friend?
No.

27. Tell us about the last thing that you did that you truly regret.
I regretted not forcing my father to get to the doctor last year when he said he could not swallow properly. I just advised him to do it but never really forced the issue when he said he's too busy to go. It turned it was a symptom that he had been having trouble with his lungs that eventually developed into a cancer.

28. When did you laughed today?
I haven't yet.

29. Do you trust easily?
Sometimes, my bad.

30. What do you care about that you wish more people would?
The animals and the environment. I wish some people could just be more caring to the animals and more conscious of the things they throw and destroy in our environment.

31. Is it easier for you to go without food or go without sleep?
Go without sleep.

32. What non-alcohol beverage do you enjoy drinking the most?
Juice and softdrinks.

33. When you walk into a room full of strangers, generally how is your confidence?
Just enough to walk me in and wade through those strangers:)

34. Does talking about sex with anyone but your lover make you uncomfortable?
Yes, most especially if that someone is somebody I'm not really closed with. 

35. Do you tend to believe members of the opposite sex mostly behave the same way?
In some cases, yes. It can be quite obvious, actually. 

36. Did you drink any alcohol this week? If yes, what?
No, I really don't drink that.

37. Would you ever consider being a vegetarian?
I did consider that but my family's too carnivorous that I know I'll just end up losing the battle. 

38. Do you believe that there’s always room in your heart for someone?
I believe so. I hope so. 

39. Do you believe in the concept of soul mates?
Yes.

40. Last week, we had a few players criticize our victim’s questions. Which is fine to do and we value your opinion. Would you ever consider writing questions for Bud and me to post on a Sunday Stealing?
Oh yeah. Just tell me when you need me.

PhotoHunt#103 Framed

Davao City Hall as framed by a dragon balloon during Kadayawan Festival this year.



This is my entry for:

For more photohunters, go here.

Mother Teresa

Today is Mother Teresa's birthday. A woman I really admire and hope to emulate. Still, I'd be happy if I could even be as half as patient like her, half as strong and half as humanitarian.

In memory of Mother Teresa, here are some of her quotes that I like.

If we want a love message to be heard, it has got to be sent out. To keep a lamp burning, we have to keep putting oil in it.

It is not the magnitude of our actions but the amount of love that is put into them that matters.

We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.


If you can’t feed a hundred people, then feed just one.

The miracle is not that we do this work, but that we are happy to do it.

Do not wait for leaders; do it alone, person to person.

God doesn’t require us to succeed; he only requires that you try.

Priceless Reaction

A lot of Filipinos were really happy to see Maria Venus Raj make it to the Top 15. When she reached the Top 5, the Philippines held their breathe altogether to watch and pray for their bet. After all, we all need the win not only because it has been a while since we've made it to the top 5 but the win would somehow lessen the blow of shame from the hostage crisis tragedy the other day.

Anyway, this youtube video of four gays' reaction while watching the Miss Universe 2010 was really priceless. Not only that, it was a hoot! It's getting popular too with almost 200,000 views and still counting. Watch...



credit: lexlib(youtube)

Ruby Tuesday#62 Indak-Indak sa Kadalanan participants

In between presentations, alot of spectators would take photos with the dancer-participants in their colorful get-ups. It's really a good thing that the dancers were game enough to pose and smile for the camera. These two were busy posing here and there for the camera when I caught up with them while they were walking towards their next staging area.




This is my entry for Ruby Tuesday. See more Ruby Tuesday entries here.

Philippines and Miss Universe 2010

The recent tragic death of Miss International 2009 semi-finalist, Melody Gerbasch, may have affected another beauty queen and Miss Universe 2010 hopeful, Venus Raj. After all, Ms. Gerbasch was not only her mentor but also a friend. However, Venus Raj is said to be raring to fight for the crown.

I think, the pressure is now more palpable for her if she heard or read about the hostage crisis at the Quirino grandstand today. Sigh! Why can’t the Philippines provide some really good news for international fodder?

Let’s give our full support and prayers for Venus Raj! Not only because it has been ages since we’ve won the Miss Universe crown but we need to erase or at least dissipate the bad image we have recently earned once again from today’s bad handling of the hostage crisis.

Philippines, let’s move on! Good luck, Venus Raj!

PhotoHunt#102 Numerical

Happy Kadayawan!! Celebration is ongoing for the 25th Kadayawan 2010 until the 22nd of August, Sunday. Today, we had the Indak-indak sa Kadalanan (Dancing in the Street) contest.



I was initially not in the mood to watch the Indak-Indak sa Kadalanan (Dancing in the Streets) contest but I remember that this is actually the first time that my father won't be able to see the festival he so loved to watch. So, in his memory, I braved the sweltering heat and the ever-increasing number of onlookers (foreigners and locals alike). I took photos and watched the contest.



There are now only two staging places for the said contest, one is in front of Rizal Park at San Pedro St. and the other is at the junction of C. M. Recto and Roxas Sts. fronting Marco Polo Hotel.



There will be a showdown of the participants this 3p.m. infront of the Rizal Park, San Pedro St.

This is my entry for:

For more photohunters, go here.

Ruby Tuesday#62 Red In The Middle

This is my entry for Ruby Tuesday. See more Ruby Tuesday entries here.

Surreal

I spend most days nowadays at the funeral parlor. If I am not there, I was somewhere taking care of my father's scheduled burial this week or buying items needed at the wake. The dreaded event came sooner than I thought it would. I was hoping it would come later. For some crazy reason, I was hoping it won't ever come.

Somebody said that losing a parent feels like losing a limb. I quite agree. Imperfect as he was, my father was a vital part of our family and everyday lives. He was always the first one up in the morning. The one who did our breakfast and the things needed to be done in those hours. The house went quite now that he's gone. It feels surreal for me. Sadly, it's part of life.

Sunday Stealing#59 The Crafty Fifty Meme, Part Two

Today we ripped this meme off a blogger and blog named Creative Bold. There is no statement as to where it came from. But, it was probably stolen there as well. So, of course, that will be as far as we go. Tracing back our theft's thieves might take some time. It is a long meme and we shall do it in two parts. Link back to us at Sunday Stealing!

Sunday Stealing: The Crafty Fifty Meme, Part Two
Cheers to all of us thieves!
26. What do you normally smell like?
I smell of soap and shampoo, if I haven't sweated yet. But if I already did, well..I smell of sweat hehehe!

27. Do you like Carrie Underwood?
She's quite good.

28. Been to “The Vegas”?
Nope. The plan to get there kept getting postponed.

29. How far away do you live from your parents?
I live with them.

30. Are you happy with your job?
Yes, it pays good too.

31. Where do you work and what do you do there?
I work here in this city and I handle marketing and enforcement.

32. What did you get in the mail today?
None. It's a Sunday.

33. How do you like your steak cooked?
Well done.

34. Britney Spears…is she back?
Maybe, but not quite.

35. What do you usually order at Taco Bell?
Tacos?

36. Have you ever sat all the way through Gone With the Wind?
Nope.

37. Have you ever been to Mt Rushmore?
No, I wish.

38. Is it just me, or was The Marine (w/John Cena) a really horrible movie?
I haven't seen it yet.

39. Are surveys like the cocaine of myspace?
It has no place there.

40. Where is your favorite place (that you have actually been to)?
Palawan.

41. What is your favorite candle scent
Lavender.

42. Do you believe places can really be haunted?
Yes.

43. Do you smoke cigarettes?
No.

44. Have you ever been to NYC or LA?
I've been to New York. Never been to Los Angeles.

45. How many states have you been to where all you saw was the airport?
Philadelphia and Detroit airports.

46. Do you think 50 questions is enough?
It's more than enough.

47. Are you currently planning a trip?
I did but had it postponed due to my father's illness. He eventually died and if I continued with my trip, I wouldn't have had the chance to spent time with him during his dying days.

48. Is Ryan Seacrest gay? Should anyone care?
I don't think so. The ones who care probably are the ones who have a crush on him.

49. Do you take anti-depressants? Sleeping pills
No.

50. What do you think about space travel?
I think, it's exciting and interesting and quite expensive.

PhotoHunt#101 Orange

This is my entry for:

For more photohunters, go here.

Prayer For Enlightenment

I have been looking for a prayer that will help me and my family find some enlightenment regarding my father's condition. I found this...

O Holy Ghost, divine Spirit of light and love, I consecrate to Thee my understanding, my heart and my will, my whole being for time and for eternity. May my understanding be always obedient to Thy heavenly inspirations and the teachings of the holy Catholic Church, of which Thou art the infallible Guide; may my heart be ever inflamed with love of God and of my neighbor; may my will be ever conformed to the divine will, and may my whole life be a faithful following of the life and virtues of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, to whom with the Father and Thee be honor and glory for ever. Amen.

Have a good day to all!

Ruby Tuesday#61 Take A Photo With A Backlight

The challenge was to take pictures of the dancers with the backlight. The backlight challenge was more than enough and to add about 20 to 25 photographers jostling for space to take a good shot can be quite intimidating. It didn't help that the weather that day was stiflingly hot enough to melt away the dancers' make-up in just a few minutes.

I wish I took a photo of the photographers who were gathered in front of these dancers. They sure know how to pose more than the dancer-models. Our lecturer said, "You guys are merciless and determined!"

Merciless or not, it was fun! I learned a lot too.

Rainbow After The Rain

I long for the normalcy of my life to be back again. But beyond that, I long that my father stays strong through his illness. My days now are spent mostly at the hospital, working the phones and/or running around to find his medical needs. Try as I might, I can't help but worry about my father, its effect on my mother and my finances.

I strive to maintain a normal routine to keep my sanity. Some days I succeed and some days, helplessness and depression take its toll. With all these, I find solace in prayers.

On my way to the gym after work last month, I was feeling particularly gloomy. Things are not looking well and I could not help but feel like rolling around the ground in frustration. I could smell the aftereffect of the rain earlier that day and took a long breath to clear my foggy thoughts. Then, I saw this..



There were actually two of them but the second one was too light to get captured by my cellphone camera. Somehow, the rainbows lifted my spirit. I knew then that things will get better like a rainbow or two after the rain even if the present is not looking just as good as expected.

Sunday Stealing#58 The Crafty Meme, Part One

Today we ripped this meme off a blogger and blog named Creative Bold. There is no statement as to where it came from. But, it was probably stolen there as well. So, of course, that will be as far as we go. Tracing back our theft's thieves might take some time. It is a long meme and we shall do it in two parts. Link back to us at Sunday Stealing!

Sunday Stealing: The Crafty Fifty Meme, Part One
Cheers to all of us thieves!
1. Introduce yourself.
Hi, Am Marites. Feel free to roam around my blog. I'd like it if you leave some messages/comments too.

5. Did you ever get into a bar and drink before you were 21?
Yes.

6. What countries have you been to?
Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Hongkong, USA, Australia, Thailand and I was supposed to do the Europe tour but had to cancel because of my father's illness.

7. Do you watch MTV anymore?
Not anymore.

8. What do you think about Oprah
I like her. She's quite smart.

10. You need a new pair of jeans: what store do you go to first?
Anywhere that catches my whim.

11. Did you ever watch The O.C.?
What's that? Never heard of it.

12. What kind of car do you drive
I don't have a car.

13. Honestly, is that car insured?
Mine would be if I have one.

14. Do you like sushi?
Just a little.

15. Have you ever been to Tiffany & Co. or Saks 5th Ave?
Nope.

16. Did your parents spoil you growing up?
No.

17. Do you like roller coasters?
not much.

18. What magazine(s) do you buy regularly or subscribe to?
I mostly buy newspapers.

19. Do you remember the old WB show “Popular”?
Never heard of it.

20. When you go out do you prefer to go to a dance club or to a bar?
Dance club is much better for me. I get bored with barrs.

21. What do you think about gay marriage?
As long as people love each other, I'm fine with it. Who are we to judge, anyway.

22. Who do you think will be the next president?
Politics is too uncertain to know that.

23. Are you registered to vote?
Yes.

24. Do you own an iPad?
No, I wish.

25. Is your bathroom filled with beauty stuff?
Nope. Just the usual soap, shampoo and such.

PhotoHunt#100 Colorful

Indigenous tribe dancers of Tribung K'Mindanawan in their colorful costumes. They do cultural dance shows every weekend at 3pm and at 6pm. It was a sight to see and a really a good experience.

This is my entry for:

For more photohunters, go here.

Rollercoaster Ride

It has been almost a week since I've posted here. I was planning to post on a daily basis but sudden unhappy circumstances came about.

I have been worrying about my father's increasing breathlessness for the past few days. Along with my mother, I tried to convince him to see the doctor but he kept saying that it was the side effect for his chemotherapy. It was not so.

Last Monday, my mother forced him to get to the hospital because he was getting weaker. Thank goodness that when his breathlessness became too much for him, he was already admitted and the doctors were able to help him. Unfortunately though, he went into CVA. He was admitted in to the ICU and was under respiratory assistance ever since. His lungs were drained of fluids and his body responded well. The doctor started weaning him and up until last night, his breathing improved.

We were hoping that his condition would steadily improve but late last night, the doctors told us that he may have to undergo dialysis if his urine output would not improve. Apparently, his kidney shut down after taking too much assault from the medicines. While discussing our options, we were called again by the doctors and was told that our patient stopped oxygenizing and the scheduled dialysis will have to be done immediately.

We were told to prepare the platelets and we scrambled to find some all over the city. His doctors came one after the other looking like they were roused from their sleep and had a conference. After their meeting, we were assessed again with my father's situation. The only solution was the dialysis but there was no assurance that it would improve his situation. We consented for the procedure. I felt weak and dizzy but my mother looked more shellshocked than me and my brother.

This morning, the doctor reported that his dialysis went well. My father is now being observed closely. Through all these, we prayed. May God be with my father and my family.

Sunday Stealing#57

Today we ripped this meme off a blogger named Keerawa of the blog named We All Live Lives of Quiet Fantasy. Keerawa explains that he ripped it from Frack 412. Those LJ bloggers do have interesting (not But, it was probably stolen there as well. So, of course, that will be as far as we go. Tracing back our theft's thieves might take some time. Since the meme had more than the usual repetitive questions that we've grown to love. So we altered quite a few. Link back to us at Sunday Stealing!

Sunday Stealing: 28 Question Meme
Cheers to all of us thieves!
1. Was your dad named after anyone?
Am not sure about that.

2. What do you think is the minimal age to get married?
25 for women, 30 for men.

3. What’s the longest time that you‘ve been involved with the same person?
Hmm...a decade?

4. What actor/actress do you consider hot at the moment?
Angelina Jolie for women. Hugh Jackman, Leonardo diCaprio and South Korean Kim Hyun Joong.

5. What is you favorite album by a band?
Nowadays, it's Journey's Revelation.

6. What is your favorite album by an individual artist?
None, for now.

7. What is something that you‘d rather be a bit dirty?
My sneakers.

8. What was the last TV show that you watched?
Discovery Channel.

9. How many people have you met from the blogosphere? Who are they?
Like eye to eye? Too many to mention. I've met them personally during the Mindanao Bloggers' Summit.

10. What's your philosophy on life?
Life is too short to be worrying all the time. Seize the moment. Never stop learning and live life to the fullest.

11. Do you think prescription drugs are over prescribed?
I wondered about that.

12. Would you keep a secret from me if you thought it was in my best interest?
Yes, I think so.

13. What is your favorite memory in the last year?
Laughing with somebody over something too trivial but I shared the moment with somebody I truly care, it was unforgettable.

14. What is your favorite guilty pleasure?

Eating.

15. Tell me one odd/interesting fact about you:
I can be an adrenaline junkie.

16. You can have three wishes (for yourself, so forget all the 'world peace etc' malarky) - what are they?
World tour, good health for my family and loved ones especially for my parents and to have somebody that will love me unconditionally.

17. Who would you want to get together with and make a cake?
High school classmates, Happy Hearts and my bestfriend.

18. Which country is your spiritual home?
My own country, Philippines.

19. What is your big weakness?
Books, food.

20. Do you think Judd Corizan is a good person?
Never heard of him/her.

21. What was your best/favorite subject at school?
English, Music, Practical Arts.

22. Describe your accent:
Common Southern accent, the Bisaya. But I think, I fared better than most.

23. If you could change anything about yourself, would you?
Of course. After all, life is all about change.

24. What do you wear to sleep?
Pajamas, old t-shirt.

25. What is your favorite casual outfit to wear?
Capri pants, t-shirt and sandals.

26. Do you use cigarettes or alcohol?
Nope.

27. If I only had one day to live, what would we do together? (If you have no idea, just say something crazy,
it'll entertain me!)


Do skydive and scubadive. Have a wild party with all the friends, family and loved ones.

28. Rate the memes that you play generally. Use any scale or just in order.
My World - 1
Litratong Pinoy - 2
Ruby Tuesday - 3
Mellow Yellow - 4
Skywatch -5
Sunday Stealing - 6
Friday Fill-Ins - 7