Geesh, it won't work at first, and I had to wrack my brain how to create HTML, which is pathetic :(

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Created by Eugene Villar.

MARRIED, no kids yet... just in-laws....

It was more than a month ago that I got married, but procrastinator and lazy as I am, I haven't even got the time to update my blog. Sure, I've uploaded some wedding pictures in my multiply account but that is all I've done, so far :)

Yesterday was our first "month-sary", not anniversary (which stands for annual or year) as some or most people calls it, by mistake. Anyway, there are still things which, when I hear, seems odd like when we were on our way home last Sunday evening and my cousin was talking on the phone, the person on the other line might have asked who he's with and he said "kasama ko yung mag-asawa, si James at si Bing". That brought some tingle into my spine. I still am not used to being tagged as such and it hasn't really sink in until people asks me "How's married life?". I am used to being called Ms. Chiu though, people and friends started calling me that since James and I started dating, more than 4 years ago.

And I am still trying to figure out what has changed, except for the most obvious -- my home address, and the in-laws. And the bed, which I used to have just for myself and seemed too big for me, it actually fit me, Charlene and Erik just fine. Now, I've lost the other half of it and it feels masikip now.

Some small changes since I got married:
1) Someone (his name is James) prepares my lunch when I don't feel like it (which translates to almost every day). I prepare his lunch when I get the chance (translates to once-a-week, if he's lucky).

2) Someone (his name is also James) took the pains of sewing my slippers when I ripped it accidentally. He promised to fix it and I complained when he hadn't after a week. I put it in the garbage can to see what he's gonna do, and he proudly presented it to me last night, sewn and back to it's normal pretty old self. I said Thank you after he reminded me I haven't.

3) Someone (again, the name is James) prepares breakfast for me or I prepare breakfast for him, whoever gets to the kitchen first.

4) I don't have to go to church alone every Sunday morning.
5) I don't need to spend time talking on my mobile phone anymore.
6) I get up earlier every day (5am).
7) I live with him, his mom, and his bro.

What hasn't changed
1) I go to the gym and workout 'til I drop.
2) I get to shop when I feel like it, in the same stores I used to.
3) I keep my money.
4) I make up a fight, and still win in the end.
5) I don't need to cook. I cook only when I want to and when the kitchen is clear, I don't like people minding what I am doing.
6) My last name hasn't changed, I am too lazy to go to the Ministry to change it. I will, give me time.
7) He still lives with his mom and his bro.

I promise to give an account how September 1, 2007 went by. How fun the day was with friends and relatives.

WEDDING BELL BLUES


At 7am today, I spoke to my sister from the Philippines and she told me that they are getting ready for their flight. Mom and my sister are coming to Canada to attend my wedding on September 1st. I couldn't help but cry out of excitement that finally, my mom's going to set her foot on a foreign land. My mom has never been outside the Philippines and this would be her first international flight. She travelled a lot back home, but that is all. I am nervous too and I just keep praying that the Lord will keep them safe and will protect them and bring them here okay, safe and sound.

I have mixed feelings about their coming here. First, I don't own a house and they wouldn't live with me during their stay. Which is sad, although they are going to stay at my cousin's house and my cousins are great as they took care of me too when I arrived in 2002. I just wish they can stay with me but I have to accept that as a fact.

I also went on a 'date' with my friend and bridesmaid Maureen last night. To her, I poured out my heart, tears, frustrations, and all the pains I am currently experiencing. I felt better after that, I agree that once in a while we need to talk to someone instead of keeping things all to ourselves. Our heart will be filled with so much you might end up dead. I also realized that I haven't been talking to Maureen and Luz for so long. We (and Adora) used to go to one place together and talk about life. I feel so cheated, betrayed, by the people I trusted and loved the most. People I trusted to take care of me decided to fool around and lie to me just when all I needed was comfort and honesty. All I want to happen now is for life to go fast-forward and be at the period after September 1st. Only God knows what the future is, so I can only wait. Although we have free will to shape our destiny, I would still let God's will decide for me.

Inspite of all the chaos I am going through right now, I am excited to see my mom and my sister. That keeps me smiling still. How I wish now that I should have let them bring my darling Stephen (Penpen) so I would have someone to hug and kiss when the feeling of betrayal grips me.

A Child's Ten Commandments to Parents

1. My hands are small. Please don't expect perfection whenever I make a bed, draw a picture or throw a ball. My legs are short. Please slow down so that I can keep up with you.

2. My eyes have not seen the world as yours have. Please let me explore safely. Don't' restrict me unnecessarily.

3. Work will always be there. I'm only little for such a short time. Please take time to explain things to me about this wonderful world, and do so willingly.

4. My feelings are tender. Please be sensitive to my needs. Don't nag me all day long. (You wouldn't want to be nagged for your inquisitiveness.) Treat me as you would like to be treated.

5. I am a special gift from God. Please treasure me, holding me accountable for my actions, giving me guidelines to live by and disciplining me in a loving manner.

6. I need your encouragement and your praise to grow. Please go easy on the criticism. Remember, you can criticize the things I do without criticizing me.

7. Please give me the freedom to make decisions concerning myself. Permit me to fail so that I can learn from my mistakes. Then someday, I'll be prepared to make the kind of decisions life requires of me.

8. Please don't do things over for me. Somehow that makes me feel that my efforts didn't quite measure up to your expectations. I know it's hard, but please don't try to compare me with my brother or my sister.

9. Please don't be afraid to leave for a weekend together. Kids need vacations from parents, just as parents need vacations from kids. Besides, it's a great way to show us kids that your marriage is very special.

10. Please take me to worship regularly, setting a good example for me to follow.

Author Unknown

Too many things to write, too little time to spare..... I will when I get the chance.

For the time being.....

ANOTHER (NEW) YEAR IS COMING.....

I remember playing "Almost Christmas Time" in September this year and my friend commented I am a Christmas freak. She wasn't too happy hearing my Christmas songs 'coz she feels depressed and sentimental about being away from home. When in fact, this is home, for both of us... and now, the year is almost over... just 2 days before 2007....

Milestones:

1) Moved out of my cousin's house, whom I lived with for almost 4 years
2) Enrolled to the CSC
3) Unfortunately, had to move to another house again, the previous house with my friends was sold

That was all.... nothing fantastic, really!

I gave lots of gifts, and didn't get that much. Which is okay, in fact, I wasn't expecting any. Next year, I would tell my friends and cousins not to wrap one for me, I am too old for that. But here's what James gave me...

So now, I am using my new wireless mouse but I still have to install the webcam. I am not in the mood to chat yet. I forgot my pw to my YM so I need a new account ID and ask my friends to approve me again. SO ngayon, tinatamad na ako.

There was snow this morning, but it melted before noon. I am not impressed! I have been waiting for the snow since the beginning of December and I am so disappointed. It's just not the same! I wouldn't mind walking in knee-deep snow at least once this winter season, then I'd stop complaining. What is Toronto without the snow????

And this is my little (1 foot) Christmas tree complete with trimmings, Santa Claus, stockings, and snowman carolers.... hehehe

Ten months after........

I moved out of my cousin's house, after almost 4 years of living with them, it's time to move againg. I truly enjoyed living in this townhouse with my housemates but the owner decided to sell the house after they've decided to settle permanently in Alberta. We didn't really take it seriously when they told us like 2 months ago that they are selling it, we never thought someone would really be interested in buying it. Well, a lot has expressed interest in buying the house but no one really has given an offer up until now. But it was my housemates' and I's decision to move out. We wanted to rent a house together, but we never found a place that could accomodate the 3 of us. It was always just for 2 so I decided to live and rent my cousin's (another cousin, not the one I used to live with) basement. That way, di sila mahihirapan (my housemates) humanap ng place. When I've finally made up my mind, they found a house with 3 bedrooms! Wow! It was an ideal place, just a few minutes walk from the subway station, just behind No Frills -- our favorite grocery store, and just one block away from Soon Lee, our favorite Chinese store. Sad to say, I already confirmed with my cousin that I am moving on the 28th to their house, and I wanted to keep my word. So, we'll be saying our goodbyes, at least as housemates/roommates on Saturday. We will be friends forever though.

I will miss:
1) Our Sundays together, where each of us will cook a dish or a dessert, and we eat dinner together with James and Hernan
2) Our Saturday night and Sunday afternoon tagalog-movie-watching
3) Our chats about anything and everything until 1 or 2 am, just talking about everything we could think of, hanggang mapunta na kay Papa Piolo
4) Virian's macaroni soup and arroz caldo (Congee)
5) The quietness of the night and even during the day, where you could just relax.. until Virian starts chatting in YM, hehe
6) The peace lilies (plants), watering them every Sunday so they won't die of dehydration
7) The squirrels who kept eating the garbage bags whenever I took it out on Monday nights
8) Our neighbor who kept parking their car(s) in our driveway, without our permission and who dumped their garbage in our front yard once and took it back when I knocked on their door and gave them a "beating" about courtesy
9) Five minutes walk to the bus stop
10) And of course, the 50 inches TV

Good byes, in any form and in any way, is hard..... and painful..... I enjoyed and appreciate living here for the last 10 months, but taking all things into consideration, the future is bright :)