Madd World

When Gabby first started school a few weeks ago, I was quite surprised with one of the letters that she brought home from the school. It was regarding the food restrictions that they have implemented in the school.  The school "will no longer be able to allow food for celebrations to be brought to school, or served to children that are not nutritionally beneficial".  In other words, foods that have minimal nutritional value are banned.

This letter has changed the traditional class birthday parties as we know it.  Gone are the celebrations with cupcakes and ice cream.  The carrots and celery have taken over the classroom! Run! :  )  Too bad Ally will never have the opportunity to experience an "old-school" classroom birthday celebration.

I realize that the law was made for the benefit of the children.  It is a good law which restricts snacks with too much sugar.  The sentimental part of me is just sad to see the passing of another "era". 

Halloween is just around the corner.  What will happen to the Halloween parties at school?  Can you imagine it without any sweets?!  Oh boy!  The kids will get all dressed up in their costumes and receive—carrots.?.?  : (

Although it may sadden me a little, I know that something has to been done about childhood obesity.  I’m happy that the government has taken this stand.  I am all for the banning of soda in the schools—drinking one can of that stuff is the equivalent of drinking a cup of sugar.  Yuck!

If this is what it will take to bring down the number of obese children, I am all for it.  I just hope that what the schools are trying to teach, the parents are also supporting.  If the parents and the schools can work together on this, then the children will reap the benefits.

Until next time.  Take care.

What is it about this genre of writing that people belittle?  If you know me or have been reading my blog, you know that I love my trashy romance novels.  They have the basic formula of boy meets girl, boy and girl fall in love and they live happily ever after.   It’s the "how" that keeps me entertained.

Who says that romance novels are unrealistic?  Probably those cynics who have never been in love.  Most of us know what falling in love feels like, right?  It is such a great feeling.  Remember what it was like when you and your special someone were just beginning to discover each other and were just starting to fall in love? 

Remember that exhilarating feeling when you see him and look into his eyes?  There is no other feeling quite like that in the world.  Just the thought of him would sent your heart beating faster and your pulses racing.  New love has no comparison.  The emotional high that you get is addicting.

I have become addicted to these easy to read books that require little, or no, concentration.  The thrill of reading about people falling in love makes the time pass a lot quicker. My books are not called "trashy" for no reason.  One of the additional perks of this type of writing is that the authors pay particular attention to detail, thereby, ensuring a captive audience. :  )   (There are minors reading this.)

Isn’t love grand?  Until next time.  Take care.

Does chivalry exist in our, so-called, modern age?   I would unequivocally, say YES—in my trashy romance novels, that is.  In reality?  Seriously, I think that I would also say, yes.  There are some true gentlemen out there—just not very many.

Gone are the Victorian era days (which is a very popular setting for my novels) when a gentleman would drape his $500 coat over a puddle for a lady to cross over.  This is just not done in our day and age.  If, by chance, a "gentleman" did do that, he would probably send his dry cleaning bill to you.  :  )

I think that Filipino men, in general,  are chivalrous.  Mind you, there are some exceptions.  Generally, though, I think that this is true. 

Culture and tradition have a strong influence in their development. Young men are taught to be courteous and respectful towards women.  This is something that remains ingrained in them for life.  (Get that smirk off of your face!)

It is a common sight, in the Philippines, to see a man holding the car door open for a woman.  One of the true marks, I think, of a gentleman is when a couple is walking  down a street and the man places the lady on the inside while he walks closest to the road.  This does not require thought, it is just done automatically.  Can you honestly say that you see this very often?

I can honestly say that I personally know a few of these "gentlemen".  The first, and foremost, that pops into my head is my dear brother.  He was trained really well —especially since he has two older sisters.   Amy is a lucky lady.  If you don’t believe me, ask her. 

Although, the feminist movement is alive and well, I think that women can still appreciate being treated like a lady.  I am all for equal rights but I acknowledge that there are some aspects where men are better than women.  One would be where physical strength is required.  Men were just made to be more muscular than women—I think that macho men look a whole lot better than macho women!

If you are thinking that being chivalrous is not a sign of a macho man, I beg to differ.  I do not think that being gallant detracts, in any way, from the essence of a manly man.   I find the opposite to be true.  The chivalrous man becomes more macho because he is comfortable enough in his own skin to be able to be courteous to women. 

Until next time. Take care.

Vic’s 40th birthday is coming up next month.  He reminded me about it yesterday and used it as a justification for a mid-life crisis.  Hmmmm, what is he trying to say?

Off-hand, the meaning of a male mid-life crisis consists of two things.  These would be, the desire to be young again, and the desire for a "young" female to help make them feel young again.   Interesting, isn’t it? 

Usually, these "older" men go out and buy their expensive toys believing that it will make them look and feel young.  Vic, if you do decided to go out and buy yourself the benz, can I "borrow" the keys, please?  :  )

As for those young girls and the "older" men, you know it’s usually about the money.  These older guys that think they are hot stuff when they walk around with their young, sexy arm candy are just fooling themselves.  More often than not, they are being used.

Tell me something, what do a 20-year-old female and a 40-year-old male talk about?  What experiences do they have in common?  Oh yeah, I forgot, they don’t talk very much.  They are too busy doing other, more fascinating and entertaining things— like shopping!  :  )  Conversation is not a requirement.  Ha! Ha!

Please forgive me.  It just annoys me to see these young girls throwing themselves at older men because of the material things that they can get.  It also saddens me to see the number of broken marriages that are a result of these associations.

So, Vic,  you may look at the menu but, you just cannot eat.  If you get caught "eating", I’m going to tell your Mom.  :  )  I hope that she’ll spank you for being a  naughty boy.   I would not want you to turn into a dirty old man—then again, maybe you already are one.   :  )

Until next time.  Take care.

Something scary happened to me Friday morning.  I am a normally light sleeper.  I was awakened by something a little after 3am.  I couldn’t go back to sleep so I decided to read–my usual trashy romance novel with a macho latin hero.  :   )  It took a few hours for me to feel sleepy again–by then it was 6:45 (I checked the clock).

This is where it gets strange.  As I was drifting off to sleep, I could feel something happening to me. I could feel myself leaving my body.  I sat up and turned around to see my body still lying down. 

To make matters worse, I saw a male figure dressed in a black cloak standing beside my bed.  I felt like he was trying to draw me out of my body. I could not move.  I could not breathe.

My body was frozen but my mind was screaming. I started praying the "Our Father" but it was difficult.  I could not seem to finish it and had to keep starting again.  While I was trying to pray, I could see the dark figure pacing at the foot of the bed.

It seemed like hours before I was able to break free from that "spell".  I woke up and saw that only 6 minutes had passed since I dozed off.  What had just happened?  The Filipinos would attribute it to bangungot.

I really do not know what it is.  All that I know is that I was scared.  That dark figure  lurking by my bed was pure evil.  I have had many experiences with this feeling of temporary paralysis–although, without the dark figure–when I was in college and living at home in Angeles. 

My sister and I shared a room but she was going to college in Ateneo so I had the room to myself.  There were weeks when I fought off sleep because I would get these attacks every single night.  I spoke to someone (I forget who it was) about this and they told me what I had to do.

I was told that because my sister’s bed was not being slept in, "something" was occupying her bed.  All that I needed to do was to put stuff on the bed so that it would not be slept on.  So I did it, I put books and other things on the bed.  You may think this is crazy, or that I may even be crazy, but, it really worked!

It may all sound like a bunch of hocus-pocus mumbo-jumbo.  But for me it was real and I had to live through it every night. I may be a result of being superstitious but, it was a relief to have those dreams come to a stop. 

Do I believe in restless, wandering souls?  Absolutely, YES.  I have never seen a ghost but that does not mean that they do not exist.  I have heard, from credible people that I trust, that they have had experiences with the "other" world.  For the record, I hope that I never see one!

I have mentioned this before in a previous post.  I believe that the  souls of all those that have gone on before us are out there.  How else are we able to still feel their presence long after they have gone?  We all just manage to coexist peacefully–or, maybe, not so peacefully, in this instance–together. 

So what about that dark lurking figure that I saw?  Was it all a dream or did it really happen?  I don’t know.  I just hope that he does not come by again.  I’m just glad that he did not have a sickle with him and that I am still here to tell you all about it.

Until next time.  Take care.

This past week was really wonderful for me since school has started.  I finally got the peace and quiet back.  Screaming and shouting have left the building—or so I thought.  The district where we live celebrates the Jewish holiday Rosh Hashanah.  This means that Gabby does not have classes for two days—Thursday and Friday.

Today started off in grand style.  Ally found one of Gabby’s long forgotten toys and Gabby decided she needed it the minute she saw it.  As a result a screaming match ensued.  Vic and I were not even out of bed yet.  It all went down hill from there. 

Why is it that these two girls cannot get along?!  Could it be because of their five year age gap?  I really don’t think so.  My sister and brother also had a 5 year gap and they did not quarrel like this!  What shall I do?!  Supernanny, where are you?!! 

I wonder what the return policy is on them.  Do you think that I could get a full refund at the store if I can find my receipt?   Why do kids not come with a 100% satisfaction guarantee?!  :  )

If only parenting could be that easy.  Hopefully, they will eventually grow out of it and love each other the way sisters are supposed to.  I’ll keep my fingers crossed.  Other than their constant bickering, they are really wonderful kids. 

Thank you for taking the time out to read about my issues.  Until next time.  Take care.

Before I start, I would just like to make a point that these "observations" are just that, observations.  Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. :  )  In plain English, Vic was not my guinea pig for this "study".  (Vic, does that make you feel better, now? )  I would also like to add that I know that not all men are created equal.  :  )

The first on my list is the disgusting habit of picking their nose.  It does not matter where they are, who they are with or what they are doing.  They just do it.  You can see this more prominently when you are stuck in traffic.  If you take the time to look around, you’ll be sure to find someone "reaching for the gold".

The second is their disgusting ability to "pass gas" anywhere, regardless of who is around them.  They are shameless! Then they try to pass the blame on to someone else–like….the dog.

The third would be their ability to go to the bathroom and take care of their business without washing their hands afterwards.  Ughhhhh!  I do not even want to think about it!

Another would be their ability to drink straight out of a soda bottle—or any bottle, for that matter—without finishing the contents and having the next unsuspecting person pour a drink for themselves from that same bottle.  Yuck!  Cooties!!!  (I actually saw someone do this at a party!  I went to the table after he drank and threw out the bottle.) 

I’m not sure if this qualifies, but, another is their disgusting ability to tune things out.  They can only focus on one thing at a time.  Let’s say, for example. they are watching TV.  They are unable, because of the circuitry in their brains, to hear anything else other than what they are watching.  I find this disgusting! 

Why are women capable of hearing everything?  Does that mean out circuitry in our brains are far more superior than that of our male counterparts?  :  )  Thank you, Lord!

Okay.  I am done with my male bashing.  Should any of you feel the need to comment, object, support, or add on to this list, please feel free to do so.  I look forward to it.  :  )

Until next time.  Take care.

P.S.

This post is a result of one of Vic’s "light bulb" moments. 

Today is the sixth anniversary of the day that has changed all of our lives.  It has left an indelible mark that will always enable us to always remember what we were doing and who we were with, when we heard about the events unfolding in New York, Washington, DC and Pennsylvania.

We were still living in Guam.  It was after 11 pm and I was getting ready for bed when I decided to turn on the TV and see what was happening on CNN.  The first plane had just struck the tower and it was making the headlines.  I was actually watching when the second plane flew around and struck the second tower.  Like everyone else, I could not understand what I was seeing. 

I was completely stunned with all that was happening.  I could not comprehend how this could happen.  As I watched the towers collapse one by one, my only thoughts were with the people who were trapped inside the buildings.  I cannot imagine the fear and desperation that they must have felt.  Some were so desperate that they felt that they had no other choice but to jump from whatever floor that they were on.

Having been to the World Trade Center in 1992, seeing it crumble was totally unimaginable.  Those two towers were massive.  It was just incredible to see them fall apart like they were nothing but match sticks.   

This was a large scale office building.  Practically everything in the building was pulverized.   How can two sky scrapers be reduced to rubble and dust?   The impact of this collapse also disintegrated the bodies of those who were unable to escape.  I just hope that their deaths were instantaneous and without any pain.

I was working for the airlines when this happened.  It was an unprecedented event for the FAA to shut down all of the US airspace to any and all traffic.  Knowing the events that led to the destruction, that was a very wise move.

We moved to New Jersey in January 2002, four months after September 11.  After all that we had seen and heard, we needed to pay our respects to those who lost their lives at Ground Zero.  To know that over two thousand people died in this one spot leaves me with a great sense of loss. 

I would like to share some pictures that were taken at Ground Zero. I found two pictures taken before the towers fell.  It should give some perspective as to just how tall these buildings really were.

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them, may they rest in peace….

Until next time.  Take care.

Taken in Jersey City 1995

At Liberty State Park 1997.  I was pregnant with Gabby.

                                                                   
This pile of dust was taken from the site of the building collapse.

The gaping hole is where the towers once stood.

Visitors were leaving tributes for those who died.

This cross was found in the rubble.

The memorial lights.  They were placed where the towers should be standing.

As we were driving into New York today, I noticed the beginnings of fall.  The past few days have been fairly warm but, still, mother nature has already started to change her colors.  You can see peeks of color in some of the trees.  In about a month’s time the green leaves will be history.

Of all the four seasons, my absolute favorite is fall.  The foliage is spectacular.  I love the colors.  You have the bright reds, shocking oranges, brilliant yellows and the rust browns.  When you go up into the mountains, or even just for a drive along the highways,  the colors can just take your breath away. 

Fall is a great time for nature walks.  The summer heat is gone and the air has that crisp, clean feel to it.  It is a great time to be outdoors if even just to sit and enjoy the colors around you. 

Another thing that I find enjoyable about the fall are the fallen leaves.  I love the sound of walking on crackling dried leaves.  I find it very relaxing to listen to the crunching of the leaves as they are being stepped on.

Enjoying fall is a truly sensory experience.  You can see the colors, feel the leaves, hear the sounds, and smell the air.  You will be left with the feeling of appreciation for the beauty that God has given to us through His creation.  I’m looking forward to this annual treat.

Until next time.  Take care.

I don’t know if you heard about the Mega Millions jackpot for last week which was $330 million.  I planned to buy some tickets but, I never got around to it.  There were four winning tickets in four separate states—Texas, Virginia, Maryland and New Jersey. 

I makes me happy to know that the winner from New Jersey was not another rich man.  In fact, the first thing that he bought was a new pair of pants for the press conference.  I just love stories like this.  It’s like a fairy tale with a happily ever after ending.

He and his wife are retired and live in southern Jersey.  The one-time cash value of their prize is $48.6 million before paying 25% to Uncle Sam.  That is still a lot of money. 

There was another lucky lottery winner in the news today.  This man is a millionaire who is a US Representative.  Although he may have only won $1000, it is not something that he needs. 

He was born into the family that helped to build Kimberly-Clarke Corp–the very same one that makes Kleenex and Scott paper towels.  His recently reported net worth is at $11.6 million and yet he still spends $10 a week on lottery tickets.  Some people are just really lucky.

I wish that some of that luck would rub off on me.  I guess it would also help if I actually go out and buy some tickets.  I could have been that winner from New Jersey.  :  )  That would have been really nice.  Statistically, though, I would have better chances of winning if I wished upon a star….

Until next time.  Take care.