And Baby Makes Four

From Charmaine's (my sister-in-law) Babypeeks journal:

i just got back from 4d fetal imaging in san jose (www.4dfetalimaging.com). i was sooo excited to get an ultrasound. my appointment was at 3 p.m. today (30 august 2005). i'm almost 38 weeks (by thursday, september 1 to be precise).

my parents and mick went with me. my sisters had school so they weren't able to make it. when the 1st image was projected onto the wall, it looked like a regular 2d ultrasound. they use the 2d as a guide that's why it would switch from 2d to 3d.

the images weren't that clear. it's probably because i didn't have a lot of amniotic fluid. but oh well...it was worth the experience. i enjoyed seeing and confirming that my next baby is going to be a girl!





Madison Alexi Benitez-Sabitsana




The not so complete family picture. Char (with baby Madison inside), Mick and Santi


I can't wait to see my niece! I'm sure she'll be good looking, smart, vivacious, charming etc. etc. I mean how can she help it? It's in her blood :)

You can count on one thing for sure, this won't be the first and last time I'll be writing about her. I'm so gigil na :)

Heart

On my good days, I find her cloying and annoying. And on my bad days...well, let's not go there :) But you have to admit that she's just gorgeous in her Preview cover.



So I guess I'll have to grudgingly acknowledge that she can be photogenic at times and that she was amusing in the movie "Trip". However, I only have to turn on My Myx for the earlier annoyance to come back with a vengeance.

Thank God.

VJ Heart: Hello! This is VJ Hurt! And what's your name?
caller: Michelle po.
VJH: Michelle! That's a cute name! I have a friend named Michelle! So Michelle, where are you from?
caller: From Pateros.
VJH: Pateros! OMG! I passed there once on the way to a shoot and there were all these kids running around naked! I was like, where are your parents?! Anyway, what video would you like to see?
caller: (says video)
VJH: As God said "Ask and you shall receive!" Here's your video!

Home Sweet Home

It's easy to fall in love with BF Homes Paranaque. Sure, it has it's own shortcomings, like an erratic to a virtually non-existent water delivery system, subdivisions within a larger subdivision creating a maze-like affair and the supposed proliferation of illegal substances (of which I know nothing of. I swear.)

But it also has the widest array of restaurants and eateries to satisfy every budget at any time of the day. Number one on my list is Sinangag Express with its 39p tapsilog available around the clock. Then there's Brooklyn Pizza, Las Paellas, Thang Thai, Conti's, Dates and Nuts etc. etc. It's a foodies paradise, yes it is.

However, apart from the water issue, BF Homes is also notorious for its warring factions. If you're legally inclined, you can read up on it in Arranza vs BF Homes Inc. in the SCRA. It's been an ongoing battle ever since the subdivision was placed under receivership when Banco Filipino went under, and there have been many twists and turns to the story with each side proclaiming themselves as the good guys.

Just recently, there has been another altercation supposedly triggered by United BF's overzealousness in implementing traffic rules along Aguirre Ave. So now, there's a pseudo-guardhouse in the middle of nowhere and NONE at the gates where checkpoints/guardhouses should naturally be.

It's really frustrating because by the mayor's orders, UBF guards can no longer man the guardhouses, so the UBF board decided to put the guards at the periphery of the mayor's jurisdiction (which happens to be in the middle of the subdivision). It can be likened to entering a concert for free but then being stopped from exiting because you don't have a ticket. Ridiculous, I know. It's also aggravating because this "checkpoint" is practically in front of our village so you can just imagine the build-up that occurs. And that's on a Sunday, so who knows what will happen on a regular work day when the school along the same road resumes operating. Can you say mayhem?

But it goes deeper than that, because the opening of the subdivision's main roads has been an object of bitter contention ever since the past administration. The city government claims that it is public road, hence it should be made available to the public, but when it comes to it's maintenance, it then washes it's hands clean, claiming it to be the homeowners' sole responsibility. What the fuck right?! You forcibly opened it. You pay for its upkeep. It's as simple as that. You can't claim it as public property when it suits you and then in the next breath, conveniently label it as private property to renege on your responsibility. It's the doctrine of estoppel at work you morons.

I don't know when all this bickering will stop. It's just plain disgusting.

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On the lighter side of things, Watson's finally opened a few days ago so I was just beside myself with excitement! My cousin rejoiced when Beauty Bar opened in Cebu but I became giddy when my mothership landed right smack where Ikkoi's used to be. Admittedly, I'm a low-maintenance kind of girl so the sight of rows and rows of generic shampoos and Toni Gonzaga endorsed make up made my heart flutter :)

There's also a Theobroma shop opening a few steps away from Watson's, although I have serious doubts with regard to its staying power because it just seems too high class for our neck of the woods.

Another must-visit is Step Rite. Janylin, as well as other shoe stores, sources some of its stocks there and the prices are 200-300p cheaper than what they have at the malls. Between my sister and I, we must have around 10 pairs from Step Rite because they're just so purty! Just this morning, I bought a pair of sequinned slip-ons for 120p! And what's so great about them is that they come in all sorts of colors (white, gold, silver, lime green, lavender) so it's super tempting to get one in every color. Of course, I already spread the virus among my friends, so who knows how long the stocks will last :)

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It's a little off topic but super thanks to the Galon family for the majorly cute pasalubongs from Hong Kong. Disneyland HK still hasn't opened but there are already scores and scores of Disneyland merchandise proliferating the island. Hence the Piglet shirt and cap (both from Giordano) on my sister. So if you can't go to Disneyland, make Disneyland go to you ;p

What is it with pasalubongs? You can easily buy them where you are, but there's just something so exciting about unwrapping a box or opening a plastic bag from some far-away place. And there's the imported smell to breathe in pa. Ah....heavenly :p

The Travelling Pants

I just came home from watching "The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants" and while this isn't intended to be a movie review, let me just put in my two cents' worth and say that it's a nice way of spending two hours or so. It won't exactly change your life or win an award, but it still has a distinct charm of its own.

However, more than the story or the characters, I was struck with just how beautiful Santorini, Greece was! Alexis Bledel was the luckiest among the four because her character went to Greece and it was just breathtaking AND she also had the cutest guy (hmmm...is this some sort of seniority thing since she's the most well-known among the others?). But next to the blonde chick, she had the lamest story. Still, she went to Greece while everyone else stayed in the US for their parts in the movie. So they can just shove their well-developed storylines where the sun doesn't shine.

Another thing that struck me about the story was how the chain would have been broken if one of the characters went to the Philippines or if the story took place in the Philippines. Our decrepit and corrupt postal system will surely see to that. Hence, from "The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants" it will have to be renamed as "Who Took the Travelling Pants?".



Santorini, Greece

Jeepney Joyride

Near the corner of the Quezon Avenue MRT station, is a big empty lot which has been ingeniously transformed into a parking lot for buses and a terminal for both SSS/BIR and UP Campus/Pantranco jeepneys. The entire sidewalk is blocked off from the highway by a pretty pink fence, and just beyond that fence is a gamut of jeepneys and FX vans with a myriad of routes. To add to the confusion are a dozen or so barkers enticing the pedestrians to hop on any of their sponsored vehicles and be magically whisked away to their destination du jour.

But I never pay attention to their come-ons. Instead, I keep a sharp eye out for this neatly dressed old man holding out a sign for the UP Campus jeepneys. As if on cue, he appears as soon as I near the waiting shed and I then let myself be herded with the others inside the empty lot into the waiting jeep.

Before the old man made his presence known, there was a lady with a cap and jacket who commandered the UP Campus/Pantranco riding populace. And then without any warning, she was replaced by the old man. Anyway, my point is that day in and day out, someone always stood guard in front of the empty lot's entrance carrying the ubiquitous sign.

However, yesterday morning was different. After rounding the corner, I immediately saw the well-dressed old man doing what he does best (that is saying "UP sa loob" over and over again), but this time, there was a UP Campus jeep right beside him with some lady in front holding out a UP Campus placard, silently beseeching the passersby to forego the old man's invitation and take a chance with her carriage.

It was a veritable contest. The old man and the lady, fighting for the exclusive rights to ferry people to the premiere State University. He had his sign and territorial rights while she had her pleading eyes and a trespasser's audacity.

I wanted to see how all this would play out so I boarded the usurper's jeep and gawked at watched the unfolding scene with fascination. The hawking continued and I couldn't help but wonder if things would have been different if there had been no MMDA officers present. Would the barkers have ganged up on the lady and her husband for breaking their implied rules? Would the old man have lost his patience and cool and assert his "preferential" rights over that route? Would Bonnie and Clyde be as bold without the MMDA officers around? How did this act affect their relationship with the other drivers plying the same route who patiently waited inside the empty lot, as per agreement? Did the husband and wife just successfully manage to ostracize themselves from the jeepney-driving population?

Unfortunately, it was time to go and the MMDA officer made that more than clear by vigorously rapping on the jeepney. The jeep was only half-full (or half-empty, depending on how you look at it) but I guess that was a risk that the husband and wife assumed when they overtook the established line.

I doubt if I'll ever see that pair again, but I'd like to believe that they will continue with their partnership and continue raising their noses up at "established" authority. It just seems more fun that way.

Quote of the Week

He said: "Beneath this pretty exterior is a tiger. But beneath the tiger is a wuss."

Touche.

Well, at least he thinks I'm pretty :)

Contrary

If you ask my mom, she'll tell you the sad fact that I never listen. Sure, you and everyone else might think that something might be good for me, but unless I myself come to the conclusion that it's good for me, your suggestion will remain just that, a suggestion which will in all probability, never come to fruition.

Anyhow, the point of all this rambling is that I'm just about ready to kick myself with regret. I should have listened to my blockmates. I should have heeded their wise words when it came to my Nego exam.

Toni: Jeel! We're watching a movie! You wanna go with us?
Jill: I can't. I have an exam tomorrow.
Juno: On what?
Jill: Nego.
Everyone: Ooooohhhhh.....
Toni: You'd better go with us then because no amount of studying will ever prepare you for JJ's exam.
Jill: Seriously?
Toni: Yep. It's irrelevant whether or not you studied because it's JJ.
Jill: But I still have to try right?
Dex: What time's your exam tomorrow?
Jill: 12 noon
Dex: As soon as you get home, go to sleep and wake up at 10am. Then take a shower, get ready for school. Don't study anymore, it's futile.
Jill: (turns to the only person with moral ascendancy in the whole group) Is this true Karina?
Karina: Sadly yes.
Jill: Nyark. You guys are crazy.
Toni: Hay naku. Sige, don't listen to us.

So I studied and tried to make sense of Campos for the nth time. On the way to school, I studied. Even while I was wheezing and coughing from a surprise attack of allergic rhinitis, I studied. I tried mnemonics, visualization, rationalization and osmosis. I studied. Dammit I studied!

But they were right.

Horrible man. Horrid exam.

In the middle of the Take Home 3 hour exam, I went out and had a quick lunch. In the face of hopelessness and despair, it's always best to shovel food down your gullet.

I should have listened to my blockmates. I should have just watched "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" with them. The sight of all that candy and chocolate would have infinitely prepared me better than Campos ever could.

But I comfort myself with the fact that I now know exactly just what a conditional indorsement is and the effect of the drawer's negligence when it comes to a forged check. I've finally memorized Sections 1 and 52 of the Negotiable Instruments Law. I know all that shit.

But it's cold comfort I know. Specially when taken concurrently with the fact that I could have drooled over Willy Wonka's chocolate factory for the second time.

O sige na, I swear that I'll listen to you guys the next time around. Pramis :)

Done :)

So here it is, my brand new blog template. It still needs a little tweaking here and there but this will do for now. I should, must and without a doubt, attend to the more pressing need of studying for my Negotiable Instruments midterms. Something I should have started 8 hours ago pa. Oh well, coulda-shoulda-woulda.

What would I do without you? Mwah!

Under Construction

This page will be undergoing some major changes soon. As in major. As in super major.

And with that, I wish you all a great weekend, inspite of all the rain.

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Please go here for pictures of this year's Freshman Night.

Two Things

1. What is the use of sago in taho? Is it for texture? The soya I can understand and the sweet syrup, all the more. But the little round things? Is this an example of just how arbitrary and meaningless life is? All that philosophy in a little cup. Who would have guessed.

2. Why didn't Raymund Gutierrez just play the other twin in Sugo, rather than his twin brother playing dual roles? Budgetary constraints? That would have been so novel in this FX infested world. Twins playing twins, well how about that?

Dear You,

Perhaps third time's the charm? Perhaps it will never, ever happen? Wouldn't that totally throw you off-kilter?

Good. I live for that. Mwah!

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The thing is, we all have to live with the consequences of our actions. For me, the constant molesting and manhandling (errr... earhandling?) of my ears have left me with a very tender and painful right ear.

And I have no one to blame but myself.

Damn me!

Long Weekend!

Yesterday was the start of my inadvertent four-day weekend when Wednesday saw me on the verge of collapse from who-knows-what-mysterious-ailment-cometh-from-Malcolm-Hall and sleeping the whole Thursday away. Only the study or work weary will be able to truly appreciate just how wonderful yesterday was *dreamy and glazed look in eyes*

Today is another day and will be spent working at the clinic and a little R and R with Charlie later tonight.

Saturday, thanks to the UPCAT, will be for the long drive to Batangas and the eventual pigging out :)

Sunday will be for regular Sunday stuff, meaning a hodge-podge of the old reliables.

Yup. Definitely a nice breather before the impending hell called midterms rudely makes its presence felt.

Hope everyone has a great one! I know I will :)

Technique

The thing is to write in a way so that the people who don't know you, will feel as if they do. But also in such a way so that the people who do know you, won't suspect a thing.

And that's the bottomline.

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Gracie stealing a quick one.





Brand new spanking wet attorneys at law Nat and Ben. Way to go guys!


*Photos by Jomi Manalo

Logic

Today, I had a bowl of heart friendly, fiber enriched and nutrition packed oatmeal. And a plateful of crunchy, greasy, glorious bacon.

This afternoon, I got caught in a sudden downpour en route to the MRT station. Of course, I forgot to bring an umbrella and so was soaking wet by the time I rode the train.

Thus if I get sick or catch a cold by tomorrow, it will only show that too much bacon can lead to the sniffles.