It...The Thing...The What

As much as I love the Filipino language, some aspects of it can just really get annoying.
Perhaps not the language itself, but how we Filipinos use it.
A good example is my most recent phone conversation with my Mother.

Mom: Alam mo yung bagong computer namin, merong kasamang "All-In-One" printer.
You know that new computer we got came with an "All-In-One" printer.

Mom: Eh kailangan daw i-activate yung ano at kailangan daw sa office. Tinatawagan nya kanina para i-activate yung ano.
They need to activate IT and it has to be done at the office. He was calling the company to activate it.

Me: What is it that needs to be activated?

Mom: Yung ano nga...basta yung ano kailangan daw i-activate pa. Sabi ko intayin na lang pag dating nyo.
IT has to be activated. I told him to just wait until you get here.

Me: Ano nga yung "ano" at "yun" that needs to be activated?
What is this thing or it

For the next minute or two, she kept on repeating the same sentence and I kept on asking her what is it that she's referring to.

I finally gave up. I told her I have to get back at work and that as far as I know, nothing needs to be activated.

But do you see where IT can get very frustrating???

About the Video

The video posted below was my first attempt in using Window's Movie Maker.
Since I was in a bit of a rush to make the video,
I did not have the time to proof it.
So please pardon any errors (like "It is Finish" instead of "It is Finished!").
I would have corrected them but I'm ready to crash.
I am not even sure if this post will make any sense when I read it tomorrow.

Oh well, just scroll down and enjoy!

Background music by:
Dan Zanes & Friends
Green Acres theme

Summer 2008 Casualty

This is what happens when you toil under the sun without applying sunscreen first.

It's not pretty and it hurts like h-e-l-l.

This reminds me of that Buz Luhrmann's song "Everyone's Free (To Wear Sunscreen)"

If I could offer you one tip for the future,

sunscreen would be it. The long-term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists whereas the (Read the rest of the lyrics here.)

BTW, there is nothing erotic or kinky about this picture.

It's just plain...uhm...funny and painful!!!

Let this be a lesson to y'all fair skinned humans.

Wedding Bells

On the 7th day of March 2008, my brother Raymond Samson (aka Monchie) and Katie Hust tied the knot.

The wedding was small and very intimate. It was held at the Henderson County Clerk's Office, and was witnessed by their family and closest friends.

The short ceremony was followed by dinner at the Mandarin House.

To Monchie and Katie -

CONGRATULATIONS!

Goodluck and all the best to you both.

We love you!

To Katie - welcome to the family!

Oh and by the way, NO RETURN - NO EXCHANGE!

Adorable

Mini-Monchie can sleep wherever, however, and whenever.
Just like his Daddy.
Thank you Katie for updating your MySpace profile with Kaleb's pics.
Can't wait to see him again!

Birthday, Piercing, Etc...

Yesterday, Jan. 21 was Jay's 43rd birthday.
Yes, Jay is 16 years older than me.
We all know that I am ONLY 27 years old!

Four years ago last Sunday (Jan. 20),
Jay and I found out that we were having a baby.
That same embryo that was growing inside me four years ago
finally got her ears pierced last Saturday.

She also reminded me to buy her Daddy a birthday cake,
and then helped me bake and decorate the cake,
eat the left over M&Ms, and lick the spatula.

Speaking of piercing...

I was planning to get her ears pierced last Christmas
but ,1) I was too chicken to do it, and 2) Emma kept saying "no."
Until I asked her again and reminded her that
her BFF Ella has pierced ears.

I received different reactions to this whole
ear piercing event.
One half said "Finally!"
Then there's the other half who thinks it's just silly,
and that it just shows how people were raised differently.
(That was actually said in a way that did not sit well with me.)

Is it really just silly?
Should I have waited until she's old enough to want it?

But waiting for me just does not feel right.
In fact, I feel like I have neglected this part of motherhood.
I know some of you will think it's weird but look at MY facts.

1) As far as I can remember, I've always worn earrings.
2) Almost every female that I know of had their ears pierced at
an early age. Some in fact, even before they leave the hospital.
3) I have not heard any one of them ever regretting or even
blaming their mothers for doing it.
4) My Dad, who has strict rules on things did NOT even object
to getting my ears pierce as a child.

Ear piercing is second nature to us!
It’s like a rite of passage.
It is another way for mothers and daughters to bond.
The easiest way to end gender assumptions.
I can even say its tradition.

But to call it silly?
I feel like my whole existence and beliefs just got trivialized.

SILLY MY FOOT!

Mini-Monchie

Welcome to the world my new nephew - Kaleb Samson!

Born: June 25, 2007

Time: 6:09 PM

Weight: 7.2 lbs.

Length: 19 inches

City: Henderson, KY

Congratulations to the new and proud parents - Raymond (Monchie) Samson and Katie Hust.

Goodluck to the both of you.

You have lots of sleepless nights, diaper changes, feeding, crying, and abundant joy and love ahead of you.

Cheers! Love you guys!

Tita Abbie

I'm gonna be an Aaaaauuunt!
I'm gonna be an Aaaaauuunt!
I'm gonna be an Aaaaauuunt!

I'm gonna have a nephew...a nephew.
I'm gonna have a nephew...

Congratulations to Monchie and Katie!
They officially found out last Monday that
they gonna have a baby boy.

Coming Soon - in July!