It has been a tradition that we talk to our kids, Alyssa and Allen before they doze themselves to sleep at night. We can usually stay up to 2 hours, even 3 talking about what happened for the day, telling stories, singing, etc.
Allen suddenly wants me to talk about Mecro Joan. But I don't who it is or what? I tried to listen closely. Mecro Joan. I heard it right. I know her big sister can understand him better than I do. I know there are instances that I need Alyssa to translate in our 'language' what Allen is signing or speaking. FYI, Allen intended not to pronounce some words properly and the two of them laugh like crazy.
"Michael Jackson!", Alyssa kiddingly explained! Oh my, I didn't know MJ had a nickname like that. Wow! These kids are just crazy about Michael Jackson. They sing and dance together with MJ's Bucharest Concert DVD. These little kids are MJ's big fans forever. They played the DVD atleast 2 times a day putting Jesus Christ Superstar second in the list which have been taking the top list for months.
Dear Electricity
It is so funny how I was able to write this letter. There are really things I can do when there is nothing more to do. I wrote this in a scratch paper at 3am one brownout night.
Dear Electricity,
I could not believe it when I heard from Veco that you are leaving for a 6-hour vacation. How could you? I did not use much of your energy. You know I was careful not to exhaust you. You know it is so hard without you. You made me do the things I can’t do without you. You still decided to leave in such a short notice. What more can I do but bare with your absence.
I was thinking of you the whole time you were not here. You’re promise, “staying awake when you are asleep!” is now a doubt in my heart. Are you really sincere? What happens now is I am the one staying awake to fan my kids with lovely Abaniko…thanks for being there.
It’s been three hours since you left. And it felt like forever. But thanks to Mama (Nature), she still knows best. She is kind enough to pour rain and give a cool breeze.
Oh gosh, brownout, you know in your heart I don’t like you. You know he (brownout) is such a lazy loser! He can’t spin the electric fan nor cook my food in the microwave now that I’m starving. Now what? My time is wasted because of him! Not an entertainment..he can’t make me laugh..my life is dull with him.
In fairness to brownout, he did unleash the creativity in me. You see, Electricity, I would not have written you a letter all my life if you’d not left. At least Brownout lets my imagination unfold. And I think I’m crazy writing you this letter. You see, Electricity, how your absence makes me crazy. Now, you have to come soon. I’ll expect you at 6am as you promised. I need to tell my friends what you did.
Electricity, please don't leave again. Or if ever you will, please let me know so ahead of time, so I can prepare myself when you are away. You know I have been so dependent of you.
Sincerely,
Me, myself and I
Dear Electricity,
I could not believe it when I heard from Veco that you are leaving for a 6-hour vacation. How could you? I did not use much of your energy. You know I was careful not to exhaust you. You know it is so hard without you. You made me do the things I can’t do without you. You still decided to leave in such a short notice. What more can I do but bare with your absence.
I was thinking of you the whole time you were not here. You’re promise, “staying awake when you are asleep!” is now a doubt in my heart. Are you really sincere? What happens now is I am the one staying awake to fan my kids with lovely Abaniko…thanks for being there.
It’s been three hours since you left. And it felt like forever. But thanks to Mama (Nature), she still knows best. She is kind enough to pour rain and give a cool breeze.
Oh gosh, brownout, you know in your heart I don’t like you. You know he (brownout) is such a lazy loser! He can’t spin the electric fan nor cook my food in the microwave now that I’m starving. Now what? My time is wasted because of him! Not an entertainment..he can’t make me laugh..my life is dull with him.
In fairness to brownout, he did unleash the creativity in me. You see, Electricity, I would not have written you a letter all my life if you’d not left. At least Brownout lets my imagination unfold. And I think I’m crazy writing you this letter. You see, Electricity, how your absence makes me crazy. Now, you have to come soon. I’ll expect you at 6am as you promised. I need to tell my friends what you did.
Electricity, please don't leave again. Or if ever you will, please let me know so ahead of time, so I can prepare myself when you are away. You know I have been so dependent of you.
Sincerely,
Me, myself and I
I am Blogging and I'm Earning Extra Income
Yes I am making extra income, some make huge but not me. This is all I can get for the meantime. For one, I’m still learning. Second, I can’t really do this full time. I always blame the kids for not giving me more time to sit and write. But hey, I’m still earning.
A ReEntry Permit or Visa Abandonment?
I did mention that my Mama is opting to surrender her Green Card. As per advise by the Consulate here in Cebu, she has to surrender it in the Embassy personally. She has to 'willingly surrender it' because she wants to go back to US for a visit afterall. I know of a case where someone literally abandon her PR for years without entries to the US. Now, he is having difficulty entering United States even with the invitations and re-application by his family. He was not even granted a Tourist Visa (B1/B2). It was negligence and ignorance that deactivated his US Visa.
So going back, Mama was serious of doing so, hoping that she will be granted a Tourist Entry. So last Monday, July 20, I accompany her an hour flight away from Cebu to surrender her Green Card and hopefully, apply for Tourist Visa (non-Immigrant visa) on that same date since we are booked for last flight back to Cebu. First flight inbound, last flight outbound, this will be a one day adventure miles away from my kids! A day off maybe! We were actually early in the US Embassy. As usual, the lines outside the building are getting longer especially that line for the non-immigrants. Good for immigrants, they don't make a line! Immigrants are waiting for Window number 35 to open at 8:30am. We had an hour and a half more so waiting means talking!
I had fun there meeting other people talking about different cases. Some lost there passport and Green Card. Some had their Green Card expired while on vacation here in the Philippines. And two, including Mama, wanted to surrender their Green Card. Mama's case is one attention-getter. While others on the other side of the building are flocking and competing for entry to the US, she wants hers surrendered!
Anyway, at Window 35, her turn, she was given two options. One, surrender the Green Card, fill up I-407, apply for tourist entry, 100% grant. Or two, retain immigrant status, fill in ReEntry Permit, continue Permanent Residency. Of course as decided, she filled up I-407 (Abandonment of Lawful Permanent Resident Status). It is a one-page form that asks for your basic personal information and your reasons for abandoning PR. It was funny when she argued with the person in the Window that she is not 'abandoning her PR' but is 'willingly surrendering it'. Well, it legally means the same thing, she has not abandoned her PR but is abandoning it!
Now that Mama is officially not an Immigrant anymore, she could stay in the Philippines as long as she wants, "without pressure", as she always say it.
So, next step: Apply for Tourist Visa (B1/B2). Easy!
So going back, Mama was serious of doing so, hoping that she will be granted a Tourist Entry. So last Monday, July 20, I accompany her an hour flight away from Cebu to surrender her Green Card and hopefully, apply for Tourist Visa (non-Immigrant visa) on that same date since we are booked for last flight back to Cebu. First flight inbound, last flight outbound, this will be a one day adventure miles away from my kids! A day off maybe! We were actually early in the US Embassy. As usual, the lines outside the building are getting longer especially that line for the non-immigrants. Good for immigrants, they don't make a line! Immigrants are waiting for Window number 35 to open at 8:30am. We had an hour and a half more so waiting means talking!
I had fun there meeting other people talking about different cases. Some lost there passport and Green Card. Some had their Green Card expired while on vacation here in the Philippines. And two, including Mama, wanted to surrender their Green Card. Mama's case is one attention-getter. While others on the other side of the building are flocking and competing for entry to the US, she wants hers surrendered!
Anyway, at Window 35, her turn, she was given two options. One, surrender the Green Card, fill up I-407, apply for tourist entry, 100% grant. Or two, retain immigrant status, fill in ReEntry Permit, continue Permanent Residency. Of course as decided, she filled up I-407 (Abandonment of Lawful Permanent Resident Status). It is a one-page form that asks for your basic personal information and your reasons for abandoning PR. It was funny when she argued with the person in the Window that she is not 'abandoning her PR' but is 'willingly surrendering it'. Well, it legally means the same thing, she has not abandoned her PR but is abandoning it!
Now that Mama is officially not an Immigrant anymore, she could stay in the Philippines as long as she wants, "without pressure", as she always say it.
So, next step: Apply for Tourist Visa (B1/B2). Easy!
My Kids can Speak Two Languages
I have read in a book about Child Development a long long time ago that the best age to teach children to speak many languages is the age of 2-3. I have always believed in that since we know children can absorb things like a sponge.
My kids primary language is English. But I do speak to them in Cebuano or Bisaya and Mark speaks to them in Tagalog. So far, Alyssa, 3, my eldest who can now communicate really well speaks in these languages. Allen, 2, has some Cebuano and Tagalog words. Mark and I don't speak another foreign language except English. So, we supplied them with videos that can teach them at least words from other languages like Dora the Explorer that introduces Spanish words. Another program that introduces foreign words is Little Einstein, a programme from Disney.
In Yahoo News, I found this article and I found out there's more on Unraveling how Children Can Become More Bilingual Easily. Read On.
My kids primary language is English. But I do speak to them in Cebuano or Bisaya and Mark speaks to them in Tagalog. So far, Alyssa, 3, my eldest who can now communicate really well speaks in these languages. Allen, 2, has some Cebuano and Tagalog words. Mark and I don't speak another foreign language except English. So, we supplied them with videos that can teach them at least words from other languages like Dora the Explorer that introduces Spanish words. Another program that introduces foreign words is Little Einstein, a programme from Disney.
In Yahoo News, I found this article and I found out there's more on Unraveling how Children Can Become More Bilingual Easily. Read On.
An All-Chocobutternut-Munchkin Carton is not Allowed!?
These are some of the things that do not make a news. But I would like to use the power of blogging...a bad reputation does scatter like a wildfire.
Actually I am avoiding to talk about this story but I'm itching to write about it. Sorry. Afterall, this is blogging. Freedom of speech baby!
It was past 7pm. Done grocery shopping, Mama and I dropped by Dunkin Donuts to buy some doughnuts for my sister Lit who is sick. So I really made sure I'd bring the best flavored donuts available for her. I asked how much does the box cost. Seventy-two pesos for 25 munchkins, she replied. Again it's past seven and there are barely 2 flavors left and no one in the house likes the other one. Give me a box of all chocobutternut munchkins. And you want to hear what the lady in the store said? "Hala dili ra ba na pwede!" (Ooops, it is not allowed Ma'am). And my translation sounds even more polite! I asked if buying just 10 pieces is Ok and guess what, it is. "Sige, lahia nalang ang resibo" (Just give me 2 receipts!) I was thinking if it was an inventory issue so I'll make a Win-win resolution. She mumbled while filling the carton with 25 pieces of chocobutternut munchkins and drop the carton in front of me with force. So you think I'll tolerate this kind of manner? Of course not!
I wonder what are these Dunkin Donuts rule or is it just hers? What's the difference between buying 2 platics of 10 pieces and a box of 25 same flavored donuts? I want to know the logic.
Actually I am avoiding to talk about this story but I'm itching to write about it. Sorry. Afterall, this is blogging. Freedom of speech baby!
It was past 7pm. Done grocery shopping, Mama and I dropped by Dunkin Donuts to buy some doughnuts for my sister Lit who is sick. So I really made sure I'd bring the best flavored donuts available for her. I asked how much does the box cost. Seventy-two pesos for 25 munchkins, she replied. Again it's past seven and there are barely 2 flavors left and no one in the house likes the other one. Give me a box of all chocobutternut munchkins. And you want to hear what the lady in the store said? "Hala dili ra ba na pwede!" (Ooops, it is not allowed Ma'am). And my translation sounds even more polite! I asked if buying just 10 pieces is Ok and guess what, it is. "Sige, lahia nalang ang resibo" (Just give me 2 receipts!) I was thinking if it was an inventory issue so I'll make a Win-win resolution. She mumbled while filling the carton with 25 pieces of chocobutternut munchkins and drop the carton in front of me with force. So you think I'll tolerate this kind of manner? Of course not!
I wonder what are these Dunkin Donuts rule or is it just hers? What's the difference between buying 2 platics of 10 pieces and a box of 25 same flavored donuts? I want to know the logic.
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