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.

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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!

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

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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....

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