Wednesday, December 17, 2008

merry christmas!

it's a week before christmas and i feel like i'm already over it. we finished our Christmas shopping as early as first week of this month, gave them away last weekend and sent out the last of the gifts by mail this morning. done!

so what are we left to do? a lot more...! we will be away for a while to escape the winter chill. yes, the temperature here in the Bay Area has started to drop (in the 40s) and while it may not be that low compared to other States, it's still a dramatic change when you're so used to the sun. also, it's the wind here that chills you to the bone. brrrr!

but like i said, we're ready for our escape. it's winter...time to hit the beach yey! i may not be able to blog for a few weeks so let me wish you all now a very Merry Christmas. if you are still thinking of what gifts to give, here are my suggestions:

To your enemy, forgiveness.
To an opponent, tolerance.
To a friend, your heart.
To a customer, good service.
To a stranger, a smile.
To people you're meeting for the first time, an open mind.
To the needy, charity.
To every child, a good example.
To your family, love and understanding.
To yourself, respect.


and as we all welcome the new year, may we try to let go of our excess baggage and travel light. no one should go through life carrying the burden of an impossibly unhappy situation.

more photos and stories next year.

Friday, December 12, 2008

how to pass the DMV written test in california

perhaps the first written test you have to take as a new resident in the US is the traffic laws and sign test - at least if you want to be able to drive around on your own or if you're planning to get a job. i don't know about other states but here in California, you have to get at least 30 correct answers out of 36 multiple-choice questions before they issue you a learner's permit. you need to have this permit with you every time you practice driving either with a professional instructor or a friend/family member with a valid driver's license. you can never practice alone. you have to be accompanied at all times.

i took my written test last Thursday at the DMV office here in Fremont. i passed it, one mistake. but just because i almost perfected it doesn't mean it's a walk in the park. definitely not! you have to take the test seriously and prepare for it. here are some tips:

1. read the DMV manual at least 3 times. my friend candy kept telling me this especially during the many times i complained to her that it's so nakakatamad to read the manual. i swear, it's guaranteed to make you fall asleep after the first 10 pages, if you're able to get that far. also, it took me so long to finish 80+ pages because Racrac was so demanding of my time. excuses! excuses! hehehe.. anyway, i didn't follow candy's advice. i only read it twice and it took me 5 months. I think it was in July when i decided to read beyond the cover.

2. take the online tests available at the DMV official website. here's the link: Samples of Driver Tests

3. take the online tests available at this site http://www.esampletest.com/. here, you can do practice test all you want for free or you may choose to buy a premium code to unlock the premium questions. i personally know the owners of this site so they gave me a premium code for free, yehey!!! thanks noel & jane! the night before i headed to the DMV office, i logged in to this site and took the sample test at least 5 times and got a perfect score each time. that's when i knew i was ready.

4. relax. read the questions carefully. don't panic if you don't know the answer right away. answer first the questions you are sure of then go back to those you skipped.

that's it. there are some websites that offer online tests for a fee but i personally think they're unnecessary. remember, all the answers are in the manual so if you just follow what i told you, then you'll be fine. if you fail the first time, don't fret. you still have 2 more chances to pass. and hey, when you pass, do come back and let me know if i have been of any help. good luck!

___
Update 6.27.09 - Read my behind-the-wheel driving test experience

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

my baby can walk at 9 months

he took his first steps when he was 8 months, can do 10 steps at 8 1/2 and on the week of his 9th month birthday, he started doing the real thing! anybody who sees him was like "how old is he? 9 months and he's walking fast already? amazing...!" one mother even approached us and said her son is also of the same age but hasn't shown interest in walking yet. but Racrac? he couldn't wait! and when he finally mastered it, he became a show-off! everywhere we go he would walk around and surprise everyone who sees him. his added attraction other than his toothless smile which he would generously flash in front of strangers probably is his being petite that's why some people were surprised to see something so tiny already walking so fast hehehe...

he'll be 10 months next week and walking is by now second nature to him. i look at him and i ask myself "has it been 10 months already?..." yesterday he was just an unresponsive newborn sleeping in my arms, today he's a happy active baby always driving me crazy with his curiosity and energy. shucks, baka bigla na lang magising ako isang araw binata na siya at ayaw na magpahalik! hay....

Sunday, December 7, 2008

PACMAN rules!

Did Manny Pacquiao bring his punching bag to the ring in Las Vegas last Saturday? Huh?! OMG! Was it the Golden Boy?!! Oh yeah, Pacman hammered Oscar dela Hoya for 8 rounds in their much-awaited fight and reduced the boxing Hall of Famer into nothing but a static fighter. Who would have thought...? Long before Manny became the champion that he is now, Oscar was already the Golden Boy. Oscar had a very successful career and with his charm and good looks, he is definitely one of the reasons why many people love boxing. Any average Jane like me who watches boxing knows him. I used to have this crush on DLH and never did i imagine that the day would come when i would be cheering against him. Of course, i rooted for Manny not only because I'm a Filipino but also because i spent three years of my life in GenSan. I'm so proud!

We watched the fight with dabarkads at Needoh & Lyn's place in Milpitas who generously hosted the PPV party. We were all shouting, jumping and cheering everytime Manny punches DLH's pretty face (ouch!) Racrac got hyper he also started bellowing "woooooohh!" and stood in front of all of us, his back to the TV, and yelled like a cheerleader. so cute!

I was confident Manny would win but still I couldn't get myself to watch the game without covering my face for fear that Manny might be hit or knocked down. But after 5 rounds, i started to relax and enjoy the game. There was no doubt Manny came prepared to beat his 'idol.' And he didn't just beat him, he beat him down. DLH got the kind of beating that screams: "time for you to retire!"

I love boxing. It's exciting and heart-stopping, like riding a roller-coaster of emotions when you're watching it. I remember my father brought me once when i was 10 or 11 (or maybe younger) to a live boxing match held at a gymnasium in our small town. I can still recall watching the two fighters dancing inside the ring but the scene playing in my mind now is the vision of the colorful tassels that adorn their boxing shoes...the bunch of cords swaying with the boxer's every move. The place was noisy, filled mostly with males. Back then i found it unusual for a father to bring his young girl to such a crowded noisy unruly place but now i look back with fondness for papa who was protective of me yet didn't spare me the thrill of watching a sport.

Anyway, back to Manny. Fil and i bumped into him at a hotel in GenSan when we went there to attend a wedding 2 years ago and i have evidence to prove that:
See that smile on his face? He was happy to see me! hehehe...As for my friends Beverly, Anne & Ching, they were so excited that not one of them bothered to take a picture of me & Fil & Manny together. haynaku!

To you Manny, congratulations bay! Your success did not only make us Filipinos swell with pride but you also accomplished what we thought was impossible: a crime-free metro manila and a united people even for just a few hours.

____
Dela Hoya-Pacquiao fight photo above downloaded from this news article: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/more_sport/boxing/article5304214.ece

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

thanksgiving holiday

We spent our thanksgiving holiday (Nov 26-30) at Chino Hills, CA located northwest of LA where most of Fil's relatives - Bendijo clan, mother side - are settled. We left Fremont Wednesday afternoon with Auntie Bella, Auntie Norma and Junel (Fil's cousin) and arrived at Auntie Nellie's house 7 1/2 hours later. Poor Racrac was strapped to his carseat the whole time 'coz we forgot to take him out and change his diaper when we quickly stopped for gas and coffee (uh-oh!). But always a good boy, he slept most of the time and woke up to have his dinner and milk and play peek-a-boo with me and Auntie bella.

We had a quiet thanksgiving day. After our thanksgiving lunch (couldn't wait for dinner hehe), the lolas got busy with the preparation for the big party the next day. Racrac was busy too walking around the house, climbing the stairs and exploring the unfamiliar place. I was there watching his every move.

Friday was the time to meet the relatives and family friends . I got dizzy meeting everyone and trying to remember the names and their placement in the family tree. We had an almost perfect attendance. The table was overflowing with food, the kids converted the TV room into a game room and everybody was smiling and talking and eating and laughing. You can see how happy they are to be reunited and exchange updates.

Saturday was another busy day: visit to the memorial park then christening party. Same people we met the previous day and more.

We left early Sunday morning and took highway 101 to grab some cheese rolls at Porto's bakery in Glendale. It was still closed when we got there so we decided to go to the newly-opened bakery in Burbank but the GPS messed up and instead made us drive around the Walt Disney Studio compound and the LA Equestrian Center then directed us back to Glendale. Tsk, tsk. Lesson learned: don't always rely on technology.

By 9am we entered Santa Barbara and visited Auntie Susan - Fil's cousin, Vargas clan, mother side - who prepared a delicious breakfast. Hmmm...i've gotta have the recipe of that baked omelet. So yummy!

Our trip back took almost 9 hours but we didn't notice. Our thoughts were filled with memories of the days that went by so fast. Now i love thanksgiving. Why because it's only about food, family and friends. No gift-giving, no decorating required yet you still end up having a great time.

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