Where's the Umbrella? (aka "Payong")

The first time I heard the song, it just made me flinch and then furious that they could actually murder a song that I liked!!! Grrr!!! Can't they do something original anymore?

There's Marimar, then Kim Sam Sung (something like that anyways) and now this??? Can't they do something original anymore? The worse part is, its never like the original. So why don't they just make something totally original then if they can't stay faithful to the storyline? Grrr...I don't get them...whatever.

So this song, Umbrella is actually one of my favorites, whether its the Mandy version or the Rihanna version. But this Tagalized version...grrrrrrrr...the surest way to ruin a song, I'd imagine. Besides, there's no umbrella mentioned there, where's the payong? Huh huh huh? Hehehe...

If I must give them credit though, its that its quite catchy. Hateful and catchy. The chorus or whatever you call it says "di na di na di na" and I think even a three year old can those words. Where's the "yong yong yong" after all, isn't that the part where umbrella is mentioned? And, for all we know, the reason why the person isn't getting drenched is because of a raincoat, a cap or those native thingies the Batanes people wear. Lol.

Still, I hate the song and I can't seem to get it out of my head!!!!

Oh, I still hate my Scribefire. Something's weird's happening to it. I can't seem to publish everything. The other day, it was just the title, then today, just half of what I wrote. I copied it but I copied something else. So I ended up rewriting everything. Yeah, like I have a good memory, which I don't!!!

Hmmm....

On our way home from Robinson's, I noticed this sign at the roadside, something like "Blessed Methodist..."

I wonder, are the others unblessed? Hmmm...ponder ponder.

And it just dawned on me, I guess its true what people say, its not hate that's the worst that could happen in a relationship, its indifference. When you frankly can't give a damn. So sad but true.

Random Thoughts

• Everything is relative.
• Forever and a day is a day longer than forever.

Hey, whoever said I had to make sense. Grr!!!

Surviving in Cavite 2

Hehehe, I didn't get to even finish my tale of travelling around these parts when I was distracted by other things around me. Like I said, since I've moved here, I've found more stuff to write about. I think that's good. Gets my so-called "creative juices" flowing. Or so I call it.

So to continue my tale, I took my favorite buses plying the Las Pinas (SM Southmall) route along Luneta. Either that or I was going to stink even more, ewww...I wanted to spare other people. Then when I got to DFA / Libertad, I took another jeep, M. de la Cruz going to PCSC. When I got there, I talked to my CT and asked for a referral letter from the SPED Coordinator. Yehey, I was then closer to my dream of having my case study student checked by a pediatrician. Then, after a lot of chats, and it was getting late and the weather had turned miserable then since it started to drizzle, I decided to go home.

While I was along Roxas Boulevard, I thought about my options going home. There was the Imus route with the non existent line or there was the Dasma Bayan route where I was thinking the jeep wouldn't be too hard to find. So I decided I was going to try Dasma.I was lucky that there was this almost empty bus going that way. People were running towards the bus seeing that it was empty and I figured, what the heck, might as well join in the fun, lol. It was like watching people run in slow motion to the bus. A whole lot of people, I must say, including myself. But well worth it, since I was able to sit down. Might as well sit and enjoy the ride or in this case, the traffic in the comforts of an A/C bus. The trip going there felt very long. I was looking at my watch and seeing that it was 7pm, thought to myself, "When is this ride ending?" I also asked my mom directions as to where I'd get off...hehehe...I figured, as long as I see the church, then I'd be safe. I wouldn't be lost. And I did see the church finally. And I also realized that Pala-pala is much farther than Bayan, well, I didn't know.

I got off the bus and started walking. Trying to remember where the jeep terminal going to Imus was. I walked and I walked and didn't see any jeep. Luckily, I saw a sign at the side of the road even though it was dark. I went to a small dark alleyway. At least it seemed like that to me. Like at some point, some person was going to jump out of the dark and accost me...lol, didn't seem like a busy jeepney terminal. After a bit of walking, I finally saw the jeepneys parked and the long line of people. At least the sign was right. And I was glad to see a queue. I waited in line with the rest of the people and thought I'd start despairing that it would ever be my turn because the line was really long. Good thing, there were two jeeps there. One would only be til Marycris, the place were I lived and the other one going all the way to Imus. Of course, I went to the trip cutting jeep, hehehe. Seems like a lot of people get off there too or in the villages before where I live.

Finally, I was almost home. I only had one tricycle ride left. When I got to the queue, I got in the tricycle and told the driver the block where I lived. I like it better when its night time, a lot of people taking a trike too, so it gets filled up faster compared to the mornings or afternoons. You're either forced to take a special trip or just walk. Usually, if its not too warm, I like taking the walk. It's good exercise.

I got off in the block I mentioned, it wasn't actually my block but another block. I usually use the back door and not the front door. And I was home sweet home.

With Sox's loud welcome and the kitty cat's, if they're around.

B-I-N-G-O

Last week, on a Thursday I think, my mom and I escaped from the house. She had renovations started and its still going on. We were getting cabin fever so we escaped to...where else, SM Dasma...

We had lunch at Jollibee (seems to be our favorite place) and after that, we checked out the movies. SM Dasma has only 4 moviehouses and the movies that they were showing weren't to my mom's liking. There was The Incredible Hulk, Maid of Honour, Urduja and Kung Fu Panda. I was wishing they were showing Indiana Jones but they weren't. Since mom didn't want to go home yet, we were wondering where we'd spend the rest of the afternoon. It was like only 1pm and we had hours to kill before going home.

We ended up playing B-I-N-G-O. Yeah, Bingo!!! She asked me if I wanted to play, I told her that I was just going to text people and I would just watch her. Man, could my mom play Bingo. And there were serious Bingo afficionados there too. In fact, there were those on a first name basis with the er...Bingo operator, lol. For lack of a better description. It was like a whole new culture to this whole bingo thing. I thought it was just the boring diagonals, horizontals and verticals. But now, there's the blackout or is that blockout? (I have no idea), the inner and outer frame, and the rest, I have no idea what formations they were. They even have a Mambo 8. Again, I have no idea what that was all about. Some cards are priced differently too. And I've no idea why, although I'm sure if I ask my mom, she'd be able to explain it. In between the regular games, they also had special games. I tried my hand at it but sometimes, the numbers just flashed like a blur so my mom took over. She even had this Bingo Ink Dauber...something like that anyways. Hers was colored red. My mom did win once, a small frame and came close one to winning a blackout (or is that blockout?) and an outer frame. But her number just didn't come out. It was an O.

So, what have I learned about Bingo? It's not for the faint of heart...lol...

Oh, and I'm just amazed at the fact that since I've been living here, there's so much to write about. Hmm...

P.S. And my Scribefire is really annoying me right now. I can't seem to publish this right. Grrr!!!

Tragedy

What's in the news the last couple of days was the tragedy of the MV Princess of the Stars. It's owned and operated by Sulpicio Lines...I'm sure some people have another name for them, which I won't mention because, err...I don't want to end up in court.

But I'm really sad and hope that for those people who have lost their loved ones, one day, they will get the justice that their loved ones deserved. And for those who perished, I hope they rest in peace.

Anyways, I've at some point in my life patronized Sulpicio Lines. I must say though that, I'm still staying true to my promise that I will never patronize them again. I remember the last time I used their particular service, from Cebu to Manila. I had visited my sisters in Cebu to celebrate Christmas with them. I was due back for school and it was the only available ship. Back then, I was kind of poor...hehehe...no make that temporarily out of cash, which is basically what I am now, lol. So I had no choice but to take that chance or else I was going to miss school on a Monday. We left the Cebu port Saturday morning and by around lunch time, we were stuck somewhere near Bantayan Island, or somewhere there. As in we weren't moving. The engine was dead. We only had lights and we didn't even have A/C!!

Do Not Delay (It's like perishable goods...)

Many years ago, I thought that there was only one kind of pediatrician, the kind where the kids see when they got sick or they needed their shots. But, when I had a student with special needs, I realized that there's another kind of pediatrician and that's the developmental pediatrician.

What's the difference? Well, for one, they're the rarer kind. There are only a few of them here in the Philippines and even fewer in the provinces. And that sometimes, you wait months before you get to see one, or your kid does anyways. I can't fully explain what they do, but they do have a very important role to play, especially if a child is experiencing delays in development, whether speech, cognitive, social, etc. And waiting 'til a child "outgrows" a certain kind of behavior for example, is sometimes more harm than good. Well, lots of times, more harm than good. More than anything, if there's one thing that I have learned as a first grade teacher is that early intervention is very important. By the time a child gets to first grade and has difficulties whether in reading, speaking, etc., that's not early anymore. But rather kind of late considering that seven years have already passed...

I know parents (and I'm not a parent) have tons of difficulty accepting the fact that their children are behind in their development, as a teacher, I can only think of the missed opportunities that the child could have been helped when he / she was younger. That is why it's very important that preschool teachers also have a background on special education because when these kids start school, they will be able to know or at least have an idea that something is not "normal." And do something to help the child or if that's not possible, at least encourage parents to see a developmental pediatrician to have their child evaluated.

So anyways, as part of my case study paper, I went with my student with his parents' permission to see a developmental pediatrician. Well, I won't discuss the results as that's private.

The school was kind enough to give a referral and we were lucky enough to get an earlier slot. The first time that I called the developmental pedia the only opening they had in San Juan De Dios Hospital was at September 17...gasp...then we were referred to another hospital, Lourdes Hospital in Sta. Mesa and the earliest slot we got was July 18. The secretary did assure me that we could get an earlier slot if a patient cancelled. And lo and behold, we got a slot for Friday, the 20th. I was just so happy.

Anyways, Lourdes Hospital is somewhere in Sta. Mesa. If you came from Pasig and would go to Quiapo, you would pass by the hospital or from Quiapo going to Pasig. I wasn't familiar with the area but I had an idea it was somewhere there.

The developmental and behavioral pediatrician we were referred to is Dr. Agnes G. Falcotelo, M.D., DPPS, FPSDBP. I only know what MD stands for, for the rest, err...

And if you need to see a developmental pediatrician, here's her schedule. It's usually by appointment and it takes longer if you have to have your child assessed.

Capitol Medical Center
Rm 208 MAB III, Sct. Magbanua St., QC
Fri / Sat 3:00 - 6:00 pm
9866694 / 3723825 to 44 loc 3235

Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital
P Sanchez St., Sta. Mesa, Manila
Rm 203
Fri 10:00 am - 12nn
7163901 loc 511

San Juan De Dios Hospital
Roxas Blvd, Pasay City
Rm 2
Wed 12:00 - 4:00 pm
By appointment
8319731 loc 1251

MCU Doctors Clinic
Rm 14 MCU Hospital, Caloocan City
Sat 10:00 am - 12nn
3633790


The recommendations she gave were very helpful in planning what the child would greatly benefit from. Sadly, since he's much older, we can only do so much. If he were much younger, I'm sure much could've been done but who can blame his parents. They barely make ends meet. At least they're not selfish enough to just keep this child confined at home. Instead, they still send him to school despite the financial difficulties that they have. Some parents don't even bother sending their kids to school and these kids don't have disabilities.

This was one of the few instances when I actually wish that I was rich...then I can pay for his occupational therapy. The most that I can do...well, that's just between me and the err...gatepost...ha ha ha.

But I'm really glad that I got to know him and his family. Makes me realize that, there are a lot of things that I should be grateful for. And that he really is special, because he makes me laugh and he always seems to see the joy in everything. Even if its just taking a taxi ride to the hospital. Or eating sausage and pancit for lunch with a favorite C2 to drink.

It was great to see Ella again!!!

I think it was the 18th when we met up with Ella while she was here on her vacation / break. I had left the house rather late since it was raining rather heavily. I debated whether to go or not but figured that since it'll be awhile since I'll see her again, I better go. And the rain did cooperate, it stopped a little past half and I was off. As usual, traffic was rather heavy. I got to Southmall around 7pm and then I had to go to PLDT to return my old handset and it took me about an hour of waiting til I had my turn. And it only took me what, five minutes to return the old phone...geez...Then another thirty minutes going to Town. Traffic was real bad.

By the time I got there, they were already having dessert...hehehe, but at least I still had food left, lol. And company was great, food was great and dessert, yummy. We didn't stay out too late since they had work the next day and Ella had to do some last minute shopping the next day too.

I spent the night as Ms. Mems and I just hope that her prediction, that it was my turn to leave for abroad. I hope Laryh's contagious...lol...and we miss you Laryh....

Surviving in Cavite

I was thinking more like "Sleepless in Cavite" and that would've been a lie considering I've slept well here....hehehe, well, except for last night. I had difficulty sleeping. I think it was the adrenaline of composing an email for my future principal. I think I ended up with something very formal...hehehe...better that I guess than very casual. After all, I haven't met the principal yet. So, better safe than sorry and besides first impressions last, in this case, first emails? I hope it was a good impression. Or barring that, respectful impression? Lol.

So last night, after composing my composed email, I read some books and then went to bed rather late I think. I won't tell just in case mom finds out...hehehe. So there I was twisting and turning in bed and finally falling asleep I think it was 4am. Then around 5am, when mom woke up and went out of the room, this really loud banging noise wakes me up. I thought for awhile it was the workers coming to work. I actually thought they were rather too enthusiastic to do their job when it dawned on me that can't be them. Finally, the noise stopped so I went back to sleep and then around 7 am, the same noise wakes me up. Mom finally said that it was Britney, the cat banging around the other side, trying to get in the room. Yeah, she made such a racket I thought she was one of the workers. Hopefully tomorrow morning, she won't wake me up again.

So anyways, I woke up early, thanks to Britney and had breakfast. Today, I was going to go to Pasay to see my CT and talk to my student for my case study. But before that, I was planning to go to PLM to follow up on my TOR just in case I needed it already and my long overdue NBI clearance.

After my long and slow shower, I dressed up and left the house at 830am. Mom said I should just go to Dasma Bayan and take a bus, Erjohn and Almark to Lawton, which I did. I was quite fascinated though as they had this contraption thingy to issue tickets. That was the first time I've seen one of those. Sort of like a calculator thingy with a ticket...hehehe..and was I again suprised by the fare that I had to pay, fifty one pesos!!! Ouch!!! I must not go to Manila frequently or else I'll be broke. So the trip was rather long, well felt long but it took me about an hour to get to Baclaran and then thirty minutes more from there to the Manila City Hall. I guess not that bad, I was expecting it to be much longer.

Well, so far, I have no TOR but I seem to see a little bit of light. The registrar person, which I will not name, said to check on Thursday if its available for pickup on Friday. I am crossing my fingers.

Then I went to the NBI in Carriedo to get my NBI clearance. I was supposed to have claimed it by April 21 but the new me was just too lazy and what with so many tomorrows, they turned to June...lol...so finally, I get there and the lines were just crazy in the Releasing area. Luckily, I went to the other side to check which lines were shorter and I found one...oh yeah...and then I went to Quiapo church. Usually, if I'm in that area, I visit the church just to say some prayers. Then I thought about lunch. Whether to eat in Libertad or just find some place to eat nearby. Since I didn't want to faint with hunger, my last meal was like 7 am consisting of juice and 2 pieces of pan de sal, I decided to eat in nearby Greenwhich. Then I headed to Lawton to find a bus so I could go to DFA.

The trip going there was short and sweet. I love airconditioned buses. I felt really stinky...hehehe...with the jeepney rides. But what can I do. That's Manila for you. I guess it was better than lots of rain and flooding.

6-7-8

Oh yes, that's the date that I moved...and I'm here in the far off land of Cavite...hehehe...with my mom. I can't imagine living with my mom again at the ripe old age of...err...33...ha ha ha, but here I am. It's not that bad. I feel like I'm always on vacation. Seems so surreal...and maybe it is. So I'll savor this when I can because a couple of months from now, I'll be back to cooking my own food, doing my own laundry and doing everything that I can on my own by my old lonesome self. Not to mention I won't have the pleasure of having my mom pay for almost everything...hehehe...kidding!!! Love ya mom!!!