| Saturday, January 31, 2004 |
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WINTER DEPRESSION
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i am so depress...........
i don't know why. i am so lazy to work, i am so lazy to do anything in the house and i have not read a lot of my briefs for my other job. i have not touch my books and i am not interested to answer the fon when it rings. i was at work this afternoon--- i don't want to listen to all those stupid pax who are all a bunch of whinner on the fon. the only thing they do is complain and rant on the fon. i hate talking to them. so everytime i get a very unreasonable and loud mouth on the fon--i always tell them to calm down or i will terminate the call.
i don't feel like shaving and i don't want to dress up in a very professional manner for work. i was wearing a sweat shirt at work today and my timberland winter boots. i am just waiting for the supervisor to tell me about what i am wearing at work and i will give it to her. maybe she felt and sense that i was having my winter dundrums.
i want to be on a mountain all by myself just thinking and contemplating on what i have accomplish on this earthly existence of mine. i don't want to talk to anybody and i don't want to see anybody. the whole day--i just stayed in my bedroom and just lie down in bed underneath the heavy blanket and with my dog on the floor near my bed staring at me like as if she knows and can sense what is going on with me.
one of my co-worker said it might be the weather cuz i am not the only one feeling down and trodden and under the weather. i did an Ikebana floral arrangement just now in silk flowers. i wanted to express myself and at 3am in the morning--since i am the only one fully awake--that was the only thing that i can do and concentrate myself and my mind into. when i get to work this afternoon--i will sell it to my co-worker who has been asking me to make a floral arrangement for her for a long time.
i ate all the food that is not good for me and that was advised by my doctor not to eat. then i took the medication after eating all the prohibited food.
i think i am going nutssssssss. |
| posted by infraternam meam @ 4:25 AM |
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| Thursday, January 29, 2004 |
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PREPAIRING TO VISIT PINAS AGAIN
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we are leaving on monday 02feb for pinas. i was there last sept n nov for me the weather is still alright that time. i find it okey and not to hot for me cuz the weather here in chicago is not yet that cold that time. but now-- it is so damn cold in here that my wife fears that our body conditions will meet the extreme in pinas when we get there. i will have prickly heat problem again. i consulted with my doc and he gave me a pill to counter act the rashes and allergic reactions incase my body cud not withstand the heat.
my wife has prepared so many small things for her family. i come home very often and she can only visit her relatives in pinas once a year. it is nice of her---cuz she has plenty of cousins and nephews that we have to visit. of course--even if they will not or is asking for anything-- my wife brings some stuff for them.
i have packed some small items for our housekeepers and our drivers back home. they appreciate very much anything i bring them from the states. they are simple people and they appreciate very much the gesture that i always do for them. they have been with us for many years. the kusinera has been with the family for 16years and the mayor doma has been with us for 20years. the longest driver has been with us for 15 and 12years. they are good people and my family treats them like part of the family.
we are attending the wedding of my wife's cousin and we are one of the many sponsors. the sponsors alone will fill up so many seats inside the church. the wedding will be held at Sanctuario de San Antonio at Forbes Park and the reception will be held at the Manila Peninsula hotel. all of my wife's family in the states will come home and attend the wedding. all of them are bringing home lots of stuff including the giveaways for the wedding. i am bringing the things needed for the church and the silver cake cutter and spatula. my wife's aunt wants it like the american style wedding wherein there will be dancing after the dinner reception. we are related to the bride--so all members of my wife's family wanted to make it look nice and memorable. this is their promsie to the father of the bride when he was still alive and bedridden. he is fine doctor and three of his children are doctors too, including this one who will be married and her husband to be is also a doctor. my wife has taken lots of precautions not to get big and gain weight or else the clothes that she bought here in the states might not fit her come wedding day.
then we will visit my seminary in tagaytay where i studied and bring some monetary donation to the seminary for the upkeep of the seminarians . they needed funds to run the place and we are doing our best to keep it afloat. i will also visit my aunts convent in antipolo. she has been a member of the semi cloistered nuns for the past 27 years of her life. then i have to see my cousin who was ordained a priest three years ago in Rome. he is a priest for the Opus Dei.
i look forward in visiting Willie whom i have met in the web. he has been reading and following my blog and i call him once in awhile on the fon to bind the friendship more. very simple man and a very simple family man also. we will visit him after we visit my seminary in tagaytay. he is on the way. he lives at Imus, Cavite. so Willie--wait for us.
on the way home back here in the states--we will unwind first in Hongkong. i am sure this visit back home will not be relaxing. there's so much friends of my wife and her family that we have to see and visit. with my own family--- i think they are already sore seeing my face. i come home four times a year. so this time this visit will be concentrated to my wifes family. i hope we dont have to go up to Nueva Vizcaya. the road is rough but the weather up there is very temperate. what i don't like is the drive up there. between 6 to 8 hours. its like flying to hawaii from chicago. at any rate--- i cannot complain . this is my wife's family and i am at their disposal.
i wonder what Fernando Poe's presidential campaign posters looks like. |
| posted by infraternam meam @ 12:28 PM |
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| Wednesday, January 28, 2004 |
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MY REWARD FOR BEING HONEST
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i was off yesterday monday and tuesday. which turned out okey with me. so i was able to clean the snow at the driveway and at the backyard and the garage. after snow blowing the driveway--- i run out of salt. so i decided to go to the hardware and buy salt for the pavement and drvieway to remove the ice and some more snow and not make the front steps slippery.
i have been to four hardwares and they run out of salt. i cannot use the cooking salt. i cannot use the laundry salt to soften the water. so i went to take my chances and visited one of the biggest chain of groceries near my area. at the parking lot---there was a grocery cart that was dirctly infront of my car. in order not to dent my car incase somebody bumped on it--- i took the grocery cart to the holding bay for carts and on top of the child seat i saw a big wallet that was left behind by one of the patrons of the grocery. i took the wallet check inside the grocery and opened it up and asked my banker inside the grocery if i cud use their phone to contact the owner of the purse.
i cud see that there's lots of credit cards and bank deposit slips inside and the ATM card of the owner fo the wallet. on the side of the wallet---there is a net like side where in there's most probably more than usd2,000.00 dollars in 100 and 20 dollar denominations. here i am---trying not be bad person--- i took the wallet to the customer relations of the store and gave it to the lady behind the counter. the dumb bitch treated me with cold shoulder and said "take i will care of this" so i was surpirsed why just like that. so i asked this woman that she has to give me a receipt that i handed over a wallet to her that i have found at the parking lot. the dumb bith just scribble a note that sez "wallet returned " and her signature is unreadable. she really did'nt want her name be known by me. so i asked her is she will not get my name or phone nos...the bitch just shove the piece of paper that i gave her with my name and fon nos.
when i was driving back home--- i was thinking and trying to created a scenario of what if.....
....what if that bitch removes the money and return the wallet to its rightful owner and said she received the wallet and there is no money it when i gave it to her!....
so when i got home -- i called the police no emergency line and explained what happened. the police woman who answered did not care at all. then this woman cop got my name and fon and after two minutes called me back and said to me...."the walllet has been returned bak--you're off the hook"
so---- i was so upset and told this bitch cop..."what off the hook are you taling about--- i did not steal the wallet---i returned it back". then the stupid bitch just said to me to just forget it and she hang up the fon on me.
what is the moral of the story....
it looks like its not nice to be honest anymore. |
| posted by infraternam meam @ 3:33 AM |
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| Monday, January 26, 2004 |
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WHEN WILL THE DEEP FREEZE END
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it was 5am in the morning , monday 25jan. i havenot slept yet. i just arrived from work at 330am and i was so exhausted. we plenty of cancelled flts cuz of the snow and the winter frost in the eastern states n now hitting the midwest. there were lots of angry pax again like as if we control the weather. there's lots of people who are sleeping at the airport. we cannot provide these people with hotel because it is weatther related problem. we wil only provide hotel accomodation if it was the fault of the airlines.
the snow started falling yesterday afternoon while i was about to leave.there's already 4 inches on the ground when i left the house. it was a very blurry sky. the parking lot near the runway was covered again with snow. the lot is already salted but the snow still keeps on falling. the toll way are salted but not all the way. the road is vry tricky i have to plow my driveway when i get up before lunch. i still have to sleep.
i have just brought my wife to the train station to catch the 525am train to the city. i was in pajama and wearing my snow boots and my winter jacket. i dont want to change anymore. it takes some time. my wife told me if i will have car problem i cannot go out of the car with my pajama. so i told my wife not to jinx it.
winter is driving me nuts. the more i crave for food that i liked very much in pinas. i want to eat "puto bumbong" and "bibingkang galapong with salted eggs"so early this morning i started cooking the "puto bumbong" so that my wife cud take some to her office and share it with some pinoys and pinays.i always have frozen "ube" and "powdered malagkit"i bought the coconut yesterday afternoon on the way to work. it got forzen inside the car. but i was able to thaw it and it is alright. i have to grate it at 4am. its like i was in the farm, early in the morning shaving the coconut.my nieighbor cud see me from the window of my kitchen and this old lady who is so nosy asked me what i was doing when i took my wife to work. i told her i was doing exercise to give momentum and strength after i have made love with my wife. she was giggling hard about it. "tsismosang matanda" ----- "makati pa"
the weather man said there will still be snow until teh weekend--- i am so nervous because we are leaving for pinas next monday 02feb. i dont want the snow to linger---lest i will not be able to fly back home again with my wife.
so mr snowman---spare us the snow next week. |
| posted by infraternam meam @ 6:31 AM |
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| Friday, January 23, 2004 |
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IACTURA PAUCOURM SERVA MULTOS
(sacrifice the few, to save the many)
i was called by the manager in my department regarding an issue about "racial slurr" in my department. we had a long talk and a very decisive one. she was telling me that the reason she picked to talk to me as a Union Steward-- is because among all the other Union Steward in the bldg and in the dept. i was the only one who is very professional and easy to talk with. so i told her that there are more Union Steward who are more better and professional than me inside the bldg. i don't know if this woman is trying to flatter me or bullshit me. i told her maybe the reason she likes to talk to me about issues involving the union is because i work for a law firm during the day as my second job. she did not answer my open statement.
what is the issue at stake. it's about an innuendo about the color of the skin of a certain group in the dept. she was asking my opinion about it. i told her---by the mere fact that the comment that was posted on the board was given a short note and commentary by her--it is a show that she condones the comment that has a very wrong connotations and verbage involved in it.
so i told this woman-----"IACTURA PAUCOURM SERVA MULTOS" (sacrifice the few--to save the many)
she did not know what i was saying. i told her and reminded her that few years ago she told me she knows how to interpret Latin. so i told her i just gave her a Latin statement and i was thinking that she knows the meaning of it. she did not know and the dumb bitch was faking . so i told her the meaning and i told her the connotation of what this Latin statement connotes and stand in the legal precedence.
i told her--- if the Union Boss ask me to deal with this directly-- i will see to it that she(this boss) will not sacrifice a few to save the many. i told her she will either look into the matter who started the ethnic slurr and who shud be reprimanded because if she will not do it--- i will be compelled to push this matter to the higher ups of the company since we have zero tolerance in the company. no ethnic group or nationality shoud be singled out by anybody..irregardless of race...color or creed. so i told her to be very careful now on anything that she will be doing when it comes to racial profiling or racial slurr or innuendos.i told her also i consider myself colored and belongs to the Brown race. she told me that i belong to the Oriental race. this woman does not even know how to distinguish Oriental from Brown. i told her--she shud refresh her mind and read again the questionaires and application form. there are questions there at the bottom that has to be checked on which race the applicant belongs. i told her i am under the category of Asian not Oriental not even a Pacific Islander. the Pinoy race is documented at the Library of Congress as Asian.
she wants me to intervene with the African American community and help her make them see that she does not mean any harm. i told her the damage has been done and she cannot undo it anymore.
i told her...." a thing done can never be undone"
she was reaching out and i will not give into her request. i will not adhere to anything that will only displace some people.
IACTURA PAUCOURM SERVA MULTAS......... |
| posted by infraternam meam @ 4:09 AM |
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| Wednesday, January 21, 2004 |
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A POSTCARD WITH NO RETURN ADDRESS=============================
i have received a card in the mail today but there is no name on it. it was posted in oakland/california. the postcard is asking me if i want to connect with any of the graduates of Araullo High School in Manila/Philippines. yes--- i am a graduatre but i dont know what this person is talking about in the postcard that does not have any name or return address.
yes-- i graduated at Araullo High School corner U.N. avenue and Taft Ave. i dont know if these street names are still the same names. our country has the tendecny of changing street names even these street names are historical.
hmmmm how can i say i am interested to join this chain or link of communications from graduate of my beloved school when this mystery sender did not give his /her name. maybe he/she does not know that those are the protocol. one has to write their names and return address. or maybe the sender does not know how to write their names cuz the card's messages are already printed.
hmmmm again... maybe the sender does not want to be known that he/she was a graduate of the said school. i know a a famous singer during the time of Marcos who does not want to be known that she was a graduate of Araullo High School when in fact she was my eldest sister's classmate. she was a regular at the show of Joe Quirino.
hmmmm again for the last time... i think i know why the sender of the card did not sign n give his/her return address. this person might not have a permanent domicile. may his/her address is the local YMCA.
so if there is anybody from the blogger world reading this---- i will go nuts if i wont find out who sent me the postcard inviting me to connect to graduates of Araullo High School now residing in the states---help.. i need somebody.... help |
| posted by infraternam meam @ 4:13 AM |
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| Monday, January 19, 2004 |
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LAMENTATION OF A DISTANT SON TO DISTANT PARENTS
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i took one day off on a sunday to be able to relax and enjoy myself with my family. my two boys were both present at the house and my niece and nephew and their two year old son. i told my wife since this is the time of family to call her mother and her brother on the other house and have dinner with us.
i have prepared simple meals. we had plenty of salmon head and lots of spinach. so I had the fish boil in tamarind base soup and i prepared the boolgogi on the table--using the korean boolgogo griller. it was one hell of a dinner....espedially everybody is enjoying eating, and i was the one grilling all of the time. my two boys had fun of course and the rest of the clan.
after dinner while taking small bites on fresh pineapple that i just opened up--- my wife told me to call back home and say hello to everybody back home. i got hold of my eldest sister first--we talked for at least an hour and she told us all about our parents. in details --she was trying to describe what is happening with our mother and tatay.
i am coming home again this 02february to see them.
mother is already in the state of alzheimers-- at the age of 79 going 80 this june 29. tatay is already 82 this year and had a quadruple bypass three years ago at the heart center under the care and meticulous hands of Dr. Recto.
i talked to my parents after wards and asked them about their health and status. both of them can no longer travel and visit their children in the states and canada. tatay cannot endure the long distance travel inside a plane with recycled air and elevation. mother likewise cannot travel since she had two surgery of the pelvic bone and one hip bone sugery-- plus now the alzheimers.
talking to my mother brought me to so many sad things in the life of my mother. at the age of 18--she lost her faher during the 2nd world war and was the eldest among the 8 children including herself. my lola had deleagated my mom to be the father of the family--while lola pacing works to sustain all her children. my lola was telling me stories during the evacuation toward the paco church so that they could hide. the americans was just two blocks away--when my mothers youngest sister asked for something to eat. since they were in their back yard shelter--- my lolo has to go infront of the house where the rice container was buried. while scooping the rice to be boiled --- a japanese soldier who was running away from the oncoming americans--stab my lolo at the back twice --infront of my lola and mother. freedom was just two blocks away. my mother was married at the age of 17 and my tatay was 18. tatay went to war as an american scout. he was to defend Bataan. thus begins my mothers saga of taking care of her first born child and the rest of her siblings. as far as i could remember---mother was always in the batya from 7am to noon time to take care of me and my sisters for school. this was the routine of my mothers life. caring for her own family and her siblings--while my lola earns a living for the whole family on a by and sell basis.mother was a very spartan woman--- a strict disciplinarian for both her own children and her siblings. tatay was driving the passenger jeepney. until the death of my lola--mother was always the 2nd pillar of the whole family after my tatay in our family and after my lola in my mothers sibling family. when we have grown and settled down--- mother was always and still the matriachal image of the family. now that the family was able to established a business and company founded in 1974-- mother has to just sit-- relax and enjoy herself with her great grandchildren. but last year---came the bitter news that she was in her first stage of Alzheimers. and now it had gotten worst. i cannot accept it---this woman who was so strong and have a great will power--- now in Limbo and at times at a lost on the things around her. i just talked to her this evening and she was at a distance--- in her own place at her own time. she tells snatches of stories on the phone and will hand it over immediately either to tatay or to anybody besides her. this outspoken woman--- is now becoming a silent bystander in a world of her owni cannot accept it--- after talking to both of them i went down to my basement and did the laundry until 12 midnite--- i dont care what the neighbors will say if they see the smoke coming out the laundry shute for the dryer. i want to remove the feeling inside me.... i dont want to pity my mom--- i want to recall the happy times we all have togetheri want to listen to all the laughters and the jokes---- i want to hear again the many nice thoughts of our friends about my mother----i want to be able strike a conversation with my mother and have a good response---- i want my mother to be whole again--- like nothing is happening.....i want to be a little boy again in the hands of my mother-- given a bath before school and being greeted back when i return from school.
oh God --- is that so hard to ASK FROM YOU.
i have spoken with tatay--- this soldier man--this father of eight and this friend of everybody has now become slow and at times hard to comprehend things. he was a soldier---tortured by the japanese--- survived the death march and was able to raise eight children. tatay does not want his medals during the war be framed and hanged. i took the initiative to frame it and hang it on the wall of their house. i want everybody to see my tatay's achievement---the sufferings that he has to endure for the Love of Freedom and Country tatay has a Special Medal for being a Sharp Shooter and the Special Medal of Honor and Survivor of the Death March. .here is a man--- who was so quiet--- a man of small talk and humility inside him--strong on all his convictions and dispositions, but as i was talking to him this evening--- he lost his ability to remember simple things and even simple events in his life and surroundings. he lost his stamina--- he lost his ability to play music and sing in his karaoke components--- he lost his shining voice--his authoritative command infront of anybody. he is now 82-and i dont want to give up my tatay. i was there when he had his quadruple bypass. he was a strongman--- he was my idol--- he was my tatay.
why do we have to be separated from each other?. why do we have to endure the distance?. why cant we not be the same again and all be merry? am i asking too much to my God? will i be spared of hearing that something happened to one of my special people in my life----MY IDOL AND THE EXTENSION OF MY LIFE. THE TREE THAT SUPPORTED US AND SHADE US TO WHERE WE ALL ARE RIGHT NOW.
i am now in the apex and forefront of my life---- i felt like a little boy who does not want to be left behind by his parents. i still want to be the little boy who wants.........I WILL NOT SAY IT
OH GOD--- BOTH OF MY PARENTS ARE GOOD AND KIND.TAKE CARE OF THEM AND LET THEM NOT SUFFER. . CANNOT BEAR TO SEE THEM SUFFER.....
FOR I LOVE THEM BOTH........LET ME SLEEP WITH NO TEARS IN MY EYES TONITE....LOOK AFTER THEM DEAR LORD!!! |
| posted by infraternam meam @ 3:56 AM |
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| Sunday, January 18, 2004 |
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SURPRISE...SHOCK...COMPASSION...
ON THE FON FROM PAX I GOT AT WORK============================
i work answering the 800 nos for one major airline in the u.s. and i have lots of calls that have shocked me...made me cry...became compassionate...hated the caller...boiled me to extreme anger and lost my composure as a human being. calls are always different. there is no same call that comes into the 800 lines and gets to us individually. i average and incoming call before of up to 100 customers for an 8 hrs work time--but i tried to tone it down now cuz i don't want the boss to demand same thing to other agents on the floor and on my dept.
the work is challenging. one has to have lots of patience and understanding to callers who are at times talking like they are the messenger of BELSEEBUB on earth.
one shocking call i got yesterday--- a lady who originated from a place in africa and entered via charles de gaulle then all the way to and airport to u.s.a (i cannot reveal final airport) pax checked in a number of bags and one particular bag did not arrvd at the final airport and so the saga begins. pax is asking for compensation for the lost of the bag. but there was a message from CDG that the bag was burned after being presented to customs inspector. bag was smelling and inside the bag are chopped meat and parts of a monkey--covered in linen and placed in plastic bags individually. dont imagine it. i dont want you to feel different and squimish.
on my previous blog when i got this call from another african pax--four cans of milk is missing from the bag and these are milk from pigs.i was wondering---how do you milk a pig, and how does the milk taste.can it be made into Leche Flan?
one call that i got made me cry and i was so moved by this one particular call. the pax is a musician--his father died and he composed a special musical composition for his father that he wanted to play at the burial of his father. the bag got lost and the pax said he does not have an extra copy of the musical piece. we were both quite for some time on the fon---both of us cud only hear our breathing---him crying---i.... about to burst into loud cry. i don't know how to console and emphatize with this pax. i was lost for words.
requiem eternam donaisdomine.
here is another call that move me to tears. there was this lady who was forced to checked in her hand carried bag at the door of the plane. the bag has the last picture of the mother when she was at the hospital recovering from cancer. their house burned to the ground and all she has was burned with it. she was now moving to a new home to forget the tragedy and the one and only picture that she has of her mom is the one when she was being treated at the cancer hospital in texas---- we lost the bag. this pax was crying and she was sobbing. i wish i cud be infront of her to just let her cry on my shoulder and cry her miseries out. but i was on the fon and i dont know what to tell her and i dont know how to console her.
a female caller came thru my line--screaming and cursing and telling so much stuff that i cannot comprehend. called me an Idiot and other names. but i was so upset with this woman i just let her blew out her steam. i thought she was already done and will be civilized on the fon so i answered her. this woman told me i sound like a gibberish monkeyi told this woman--- this monkey is the only one who can help you with your problem.
i got a pinay on the fon who arrived from pinas and cleared customs in SFO with of course two balik bayan boxes. guess what--the box was inspected by (Transportation Security Agency) TSA on the last segment of her journey--- and was delayed. she was paged at the air[port but did not respond to the page. she knows that there is something wrong on what she has placed inside the box. there are cooked ABAL ABAL (GRASSHOPPER) inside one of the can container---there is also this coconut shaver in a wooden shape stool and KAMPIT (JungleBolo) inside a bamboo pole--not to mention PORK ENTRAIL (chicharon bulaklak) inside a can--- soaked in oil. custom will not understand that this is a delicacy. for them these are entrails--gutts inside a can.i have to explain to the authorities what these things are.
an indian man called me. be just arrived from New Delhi and was looking for a big suitcase with two big plastic container that is covered. the plastic container has water---- from the great Ghanges river. pax said this is sacred to them and he has to bring it to his family who will wash themselves with this water cuz they cannot come to India for the rites of purification. i cannot tell this man the plastic container leaked and the authorities at the port of entry disposed of the entire suitcase thinking this liquid will just contaminate the other bags and suitcases inside the container fo the plane. i did not tell the caller the info. i dont want to be the one who messed up the religious belief of the pax. i told him to go back to airport and asked to talk to the service director.
most of the time i have to ask myself---what am i doing to this kind of job that i have embarked. i cannot answer myelf and i am still working for this dept. cuz i love travelling for free and i love the salary and priviledges. |
| posted by infraternam meam @ 4:34 AM |
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| Saturday, January 17, 2004 |
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Bienvenido a TatangREtong
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i was surprised to read in one of my entries that there is a TatangRetong who come across reading my blog. i am thrilled to have known that there is still somebody who is interested in my spot. i really welcome you 'Tang, and will be delighted to be connected. we will try to link the blogspot world and reach out to those pinoys all over the world who wanted to have connections and to our kababyans also at home---- so that they will know what kind of life and lives we are living and doing in our Domiciles.
i believe that the web is a wonderful avenue for us to gap the loneliness and the emptiness and the memories of home at times of our melancholic mood and times of our loneliness remembering the many good times and traditions and customs back home and our loved ones that we have left behind. although mine is always here practically twice a year cuz they also hold american passports but refuses to live and stay in the states.
i also believe that we pinoy have a long tradition of being connected with each other even in and thru the web and in any other forms and ways and means. i have travelled the world, especially when i was still working as a labor arbiter for a big japanese shipping firm in Tokyo/Japan and i have worked for them for 10 years and those years of my tenure with them--- i have come to places where airplane never land. in a remotest place in Sweden-- i was there for 6days and i found out that the entire population of this town is only 1,300 (1984) and i bump into two pinays who were there in a place when winter comes--the place becomes a frozen thundra. but accodring to this pinays---there are at least 8 of them there. i was in norway one time---in a remote place and when i went to a bowling alley the cashier of the place is a pinay. my family always visit paris during december--we were there last month--at charles de gaul airport in France there are more than 10 security at the airport scanning the bags and the hand carried luggage into the xray machine who are pinays and --ilocano pa. if you come to Piraeus/Greece and visit the acropolis and leonides ---- in one of the kiosk out there is a pinay who owns it--she is married to a greek. my family was in europe last month and anywhere we turn our back there is a kababayan out there wondering and working.
here's a cinderella story of a pinay that is true. there was a pinay who was a housekeeping supervisor in Dubai hotel chain. she is an ilocana --- separated from a cruel husband and left her with three teenage children--two girls and one boy. she lives back home in Paranaque in one of the villages there. the resident general manager of the said big hotel chain is a Greek---single--never been married and good looking. same age as our Pinay. he fell in love with this pinay--- proposed to her but our pinay got scared and so decided to resign and went back home. the chivalrous greek, followed her home to pinas and formally asked the parents of the pinay for her hand in marriage. then when they got married in pinas with all the splendour and pomp--- the greek guy became the general manager and director of a big european chain of hotel in chicago. i was working at the Nikko Hotel of Chicago as a concierge that time and this greek guy bumped into me at the hotel and asked me if i want to work for him and open the hotel with him in the capacity of head concierge. i said yes.
i worked for this hotel for at least three years but when my boss with his pinay wife tour of duty was terminated-- i quit also as a sign of allegiance to him--which he admired very much. then this greek guy was hired by the Ayala group of Companies in Pinas for their hotel chains and resorts in Pinas and southeast asia rim. they were housed in a big luxurious house rented for them by Ayala at Ayala Alabang. the greek now is retired-- we are still in contact. they just go from one place to the other enjoying themselves. they have a summer house in Barbados, a cottage outside London, a historic house in Connecticut and a grand house in Greece. the children of our pinay are all grown and they are married now except for the youngest girl who is about to finish her studies at the University of Chicago. these children are the sole heir to all of the houses and fortune of the Greek.
and yes--- i am proud of this Pinay. MABUHAY KA---- MANANG G.....
and so Tatang--- welcome and let us link to all of our KABABAYANS .....BIENVENIDO A SALUD |
| posted by infraternam meam @ 12:48 PM |
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A CALL TO A DISTANT FRIEND IN PINAS
WILLIE HALILI OF IMUS/CAVITE============================
i left the office at 230am 17jan. we were told to be careful when we go to the parking lot to get our car. there is a freezing rain in progress and the pavement ---even salted is still very sleepery and covered with solid ice. the rain that has fallen became ice covering the sidewalk and the pavement. my car included. i have to scrape the ice covering my entire car and the wind is like the KATABATIC wind (from the Greek word meaning cold downhill wind) it is so cold and the rain is so cold also. the entire surrounding at the parking area is like the ANTARTICA (from the Greek word Aktos, meaning Bear Anti-Aktos--no Bear) there is no bear in Antartica. so i was just driving at least 35 to 40 miles per hour cuz the rorad is so treacherous. when i arrived home--- i still cannot fall asleep cuz i am hungry. my doctor told me not to eat cuz of my diabetes II , but i cannot help it---- i am hungry, so i ate the pizza.
while eating the pizza-- i came across the fon directory at the dining table and the first thing i opened up is the name of Willie Halili. Willie is also very fond of reading the blogspot and see what is happening in the lives of his kababyan abroad. we had a long talk--- i love talking to Willie, he is a very simple man with simple happiness and simple aspirations in life. he is now retired but still wanted to find another job to get him going...GO WILLIE. i dont know what i will be doing if i retire. maybe i will end up teaching again. i love to teach. for now i am contented with my two jobs here and a part time job of giving cross culture lecture about asian culture.
Willie and I talked about so many things. but i was trying to understand deeply this person---he was so honest in his questions---very simple when he asked it---plenty of sincerity on all his questions and a very good listener. i wish i have those kind of attitude---or maybe because i was trained differently and my friends are all telling me that when i talk to peope --- it pulls the people into me not outside of me...IS THAT SCARY? i hope not. i dont have any intention of scaring anybody.
well--- i have to sleep now. it is so damn cold and i still have to work this afternoon. i will sunday and monday off and i have to wake up early so i cud go to the hardware and buy some salt and salt my driveway or else i will have avery slippery driveway and sidewalk. i dont want to be sued by anybody who slips in my sidewalk.
MORE POWER TO YOU MR WILLIE HALILI OF IMUS CAVITE/PHILIPPINES
ENTRE ACTA
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TATANG...THANK YOU IF YOU WANT TO CONNECT ME IN YOUR BLOG. IT WILL BE A GREAT HONOR. I HOPE MY BLOGSPOT CUD GIVE SOME GOODNESS INTO WHO EVER WANTS TO READ IT. |
| posted by infraternam meam @ 4:50 AM |
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| Wednesday, January 14, 2004 |
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TEMPORO MANDIVULAR JAWBONE(TMJ)
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I JUST HAVE AN ORAL SURGERY THIS MORNING AND IT IS SO PAINFUL AND VERY HARD TO UNDERTAKE. THE ORTHO HAS TO COME THRU THE LOWER BACK OF MY RIGHT EAR. AND THEN THRU THE INTERNAL RIGHT JAWBONE. I WAS SEDATED PARTIALLY CUZ I DONT WANT FULL SEDATION CUZ AT MY AGE OF 55 I DON'T WANT TO HAVE FORGETFULLNESS PROBLEM. I HAVE READ THAT ANESTHETIC AT TIMES TENDS TO MAKE PEOPLE FORGET THINGS. WITH ME---I DONT WANT IT. AS LONG AS I CAN STAND THE PAIN--ITS OKEY WITH ME.
THE SURGERY WENT WELL.THE SWELL ON MY LEFT SIDE IS NOT THAT MUCH. I WAS ABLE TO MOVE BUT I WAS NOT ABLE TO TALK. WHICH IS GOOD CUZ I WONT BE ANSWERING THE FON FOR AT LEAST TWO DAYS. AT LEAST TWO GLORIOUS DAYS OF NOT LISTENING TO ALL THE WHINNERS AND COMPLAINERS ON THE FON.
THE ORTHO'S BILL IS SO EXHORBITANT. MY INSURANCE WILL PAY FOR IT AND I HAVE TO SHOULDER THE USD200.00 FOR THE MOUTH GUARD THAT COST USD900.00 STILL NOT BAD. AT LEAST I DON'T HAVE TO PAY THE WHOLE AMOUNT FOR THE ORAL SURGERY. NOW I HAVE TO WEAR THE MOUTH GUARD FOREVER UNTIL I DIE AT NITE ONLY. THE GUARD WILL PROTECT THE JAWBONE FROM MOVING TO A BAD DIRECTIONS THAT IS CAUSING SO MUCH STRESS IN MY JAWBONE AREA AND CAUSING PAIN.
TMJ IS ATHRITIS OF THE JAWBONE.
HOW COME IN PINAS THERE IS NO SUCH ILLNESS LIKE THIS. THE ONLY THING I KNOW IS IF THE TOOTH IS GIVING SOMEBODY ANY PAIN---THE DENTIST WILL EXTRACT IT. NOW I AM UNDER HEAVY MEDICATION TO EASE THE PAIN AND THE SPEEDY HEALING PROCESS OF THE WOUND ON THE GUM AND IN MY CHEEK. ANYWAY--IT IS A VERY SMALL INCISION AND NOBODY COULD NOTICE ANYTHING. IN FACT THE BANDAGE IS JUST A SMALL BAND AID SIZE.
OH WELL---THE SHOW MUST GO ON. I HAVE TO HEAL IMMEIDATELY CUZ IN MY OTHER JOB I HAVE TO DO LOTS OF TALKING AND LOTS OF LECTURES TO GIVE. THE COMPLAINTS DEPT OF THE AIRLINE WHERE I WORK WILL HAVE TO WAIT---BUT NOT THE LAW FIRM ON MY 2ND JOB. |
| posted by infraternam meam @ 4:57 AM |
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| Tuesday, January 13, 2004 |
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COMPILATION OF FABULOUS FALLACIES:
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(compiled by Tad Tuleja )
1. WHERE DOES INDIA INK COME FROM?
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most people call it Indian ink. ther preferred term is India ink and the really accuate term is the seldom used China Ink, for it was from china and ocassionally Japan, that the original "India Ink", found its way to the east.a mixture of lampblack (soot) and gum. the elastic gum from which the substance was made comes not from an Indian plant, from from tress found in the east Indies, Africa and latin America.
2. THE RICKSHAW IS NOT CHINESE
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in spite of its appearance in numerous films about Old china, the rickshaw came originally from Japan and was a western not an oriental idea. the human drawn, two wheeled carriage seems to have made its first appearance in Japan around 1870 and thougH no one seems certain who invented it, its agreed that some western missionary was responsible. American baptist missionary Jonathan Sconie, who was supposed to have devised the contraption to have his invalid wife carted around the streets of Yokohama.
3. THE BAGPIPE IS NOT SCOTTISH
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since Scottish pipers have popularized the bagpipe in modern times, it's oftern assumed that the instrument is native to the highlands. actually, the first primitive version was constructed by a middle easten, Hittite, music lover several hundred years before christ. it was a crude affair, composed of reeds stuck into a goatskin bag, but proud Scots should be wary of mocking its lack of sophistication. from the mediterranean, the bag pipe spread all over Europe, reaching Italy in in the 13th cent. England in the 14th cent and Scotland, not in the early 15th cent.
4. WHERE DID THE GUILLOTINE ORIGINATED?
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although it is widely believed that the inventor of the guillotine -- the most horrid symbol of the french revolution-- was supposed to be Dr. Joseph Guillotine, he did not himself invented it, but only recommended it to the French National Assembly that it be adopted as country official killing device, since it provided the condemned swift and humane end. the instrument makers were a German mechanic called Schmidt and the French doctor Antonin Louise, in whose honor it was orignally called the "Louison" or "Louisette". in scotland it was called "Maiden" in Germany it was called "Diele" the "Hobel" and the "Dolabra", in Italy it is called "Mannaia"
5. DID THE GUITAR CAME FROM EGYPT, TURKEY OR SPAIN?-
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the classical guitar is almost as firmly associated with Spain as the bagpipe is with Scotland; the image of Hidalgo serenading his lady beneath a balcony , with his "guitarra " in hand, remains a central icon of the Iberian culture.but the instrument was not invented there, it was only perfected. its ancient precursors, the "lyre" (Cithara) and the "Lute" (Pandoura) arose in Mesopotamia millenia before the birth of Christ. the basic featue of this instrument was introduced to Spain by the Arabs during their medieveal hegemony of the Mediterranean. structurally, the modern "Guitarra" has its beginning around the 13th cent., when Moorish influence on the Peninsula was profound.
6. THE TURKEY DOES NOT COME FROM TURKEY
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our preeminent symbol of Thanksgiving is, fortuitiously, truly an American birds. species of the wild turkeys roamed the entire North American continent long before Columbus landed, and the Conquistadores discovered in Mexicao that the Aztecs had domesticated the "Meleagris gallopavo" variety. the deignation "Turkey" came about because Europeans confused the American import bird that had been known in Europe since ancient times. this was the "Guinea cock" or "Guinea fowl" which didnt come from Turkey but had been brought to Europe through Turkey by Portuguese travelers who had gotten it from Guinea in West Africa. a more charming, though possibly apocryphal explanations is that one ascribes the name fo the Turkey to the Portuguese Jewish interpreter of Columbu's first journey, anme Jose de Torres. upon seeing his first speciamen of the the bird in New World, he cried out "Tukki, Tukki" which means "Big bird" in Hebrew.
7. WHERE DOES THE BOOMERANG COME FROM ?
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contrary to popular belief and opinion, not all boomerangs are designed to the thrower. those that do, made flat on one side and curved on the other, were perfectred by Australian aborigines, who have used them since prehistoric times in hunting, sport and war. the name "boomerang" itself is a modern spelling of an aboriginal name. but Australia is not the boomerang's early home. curved hunting sticks whcih produce the characteristics of whinning sound and which can be just as deadly as the Australian variety have been discovered in at least four regions of the earth. these regions are Indonesia, particularly in Borneo and Celebes; eastern Africa, which is Egypt and Ethiopia and the Indian sub continent, and the southwestern United States, where the Hopi, Acoma and Zuni Indians use this as weapons still to hunt smalle game.
8. TURKISH BATH IS NOT TURKISH
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to the European crusaders, high with the odor of sanctity, the baths of the Ottoman Empire must have neen an astonishing revelation. Europe was not ready yet then, it was severl centuries before the Turkish bath took hold in the western mind. from the beginning of the middle ages to the beginning of the 19th cent. perfume was more popular than soap. it was only after the post renaissance period that the bathing came back into favor. Turkish bath specifically was brought to London in 1862, by David Urquhart, who have spent much time in the East. the great bathersof the ancient world was the Romans, and basically the Turkish batch was just a variant of bath which they had brought to Asia Minor. the Turkish steam chambers was an outgrowth of the Roman "Laconicum" and the "elaboration of the sweat baths".
9. CHESS IS NEITHER EUROPEAN NOR MEDIEVAL
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Chess is not European. the knights and bishops wasa game it seemed were a shame. chess have been creared in the East, centuries before the Normans heard of castles, bu apeople to whome the elephants were no oddity. chess grew out of the gaem "Chaturanga" played first in 6th cent. India. "Chaturanga" meaning in Sanskrit, "four arms" is also word for "army" and it referred in the game as in life to the chariots, cavalry, infrantry and elephants .these four "arms" modified by the Europeans came to be gradually know as the bishops, knights, pawns, and rooks. this transformation happened in the 10th cent. Arab invaders frouhgt the game to Europe . the Arabs also gave its name "alschah-mat" meaning " the king is dead". this became the word "checkmate".
10. WHAT IS THE ORIGIN OF SWASTIKA?
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Swastika was not invented by Hitler.it was only approp[riated in the host of may ancient symbols, erroneously used by the pure stock "Aryans", the Nazi made it stand, in the popular imaginations. among m,any traditions, the Swastika was a symbol of good fortune, from the Sanskrit, meaning "it is well". it has been found in ancient Greek and Mesopotamic coins and Celtic and Scandinavian artifacts and object and arts of worhipped from India.Early christians, who used it during the Roma Persecutions, called it "Crux dissimulata" or "crux grammata", because its twisted arms resembles four Greek gammas.
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| posted by infraternam meam @ 3:45 AM |
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| Monday, January 12, 2004 |
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MY TWO SONS, MY TWO WORLD, TWO TRAITS, TWO CHARACTERS
TWO MINDS, TWO HOPES AND TWO DREAMS
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i will now be 56 years old this year--- i have seen the world in its vivid colors and have experienced the world in all its splendours and In all its darkness and frailties. my liFe has evolved into two worlds---- the world of my two sons. and the life i live as one with my wife---- we think as one and we act as one. that was the concordat of our union in marriage--- a marriage of one and thoughts of one --- and all going towards the life and upbringing of our two sons.
my eldest son will become 23 years old this february, and my youngest one will be 20 this january. both were born during the winter months , on harsh condition and bitter cold. my eldest son was born during the peak of the blizzard and my youngest son was born when there was an on going bitter cold wind. both boys was born and were called winter babies, but they have two different and distinct personality.
i have not seen them grow up and was not able to follow them growing up. when my eldest son was 10 years old--- i left him under the care of their mother and head on to work in japan for nearly ten years and during those period of time---- my youngest son was conceived and when i returned permanently to stay with them--- my eldest son was already 16years old and my youngest son is already 11 years of age. both was reared by their mother in my absence and i only see all of them once a year for a period of 12 days only.
now in my present age---- i looked back at the years i have missed wathcing over them when they were young. i was not the one who took my eldest son to the doctor when he fell from the slide in school when he was in grade school. i was not with my youngest son when he had a minor accident in school when he was in fourth grade. i missed all of those things----- i missed the fatherhood of responsibility and worries.
now it is talking its toll. my absence for nearly ten years of their formative years is taking its toll on me.
my eldest son became very mature so easily. he hold on to his dreams as he planned it to be. he took the challenges in life as he wanted it to be and as it comes into his life. he has been so frugal on so many things and very straight forward in his dealings with other people and school and with his love life---he was in control of things and he looks for enjoyment and friendship----not early commitments with a girl. he has already planned his visions in life and he already program the things that he wanted to do when he finishes his college studies and his masteral degrees. my son is my alter ego and my rock---- he is also my strong shoulder to cry on and to discuss my worries and lamentations in life. he is my theraphist and my counselor. my eldest son is also my confessor and most of all my mirror for all that is so opaque in my outlook in life. he just came to the house this evening while i was having tea and had a big pizza on hand with him. he just came from work---managing a pizzeria place in my neighborhood. he is now leaving on his own in his own apartment closer to his school. when he came to the house--- the first thing he did was asked me if i am okey and if my health is alright. he handed over the pizza that he brought and told me he will come over tomorrow to have lunch. my son told me he will go out tonite for a date with a new friend---not yet his girlfriend---just a girl and a friend. then while i was watching the television in the kitchen---he told me not to eat the pizza he brought cuz it is a little bit spicy and not good for my acidity problem. then he put his two hands on my shoulder----stooped down a little bit and asked me if everything is okey and alright with me. then he said to me..." i love you dad" then went upstairs to say hello to his mother. i was not even able to respond to him and tell him " i love him too". it did not come out----but deep inside me--it was there. i hope my eldest son felt the burning love i have for him.
TWO SONS, TWO DREAMS, TWO HOPES, TWO CHARACTERS, AND TWO AMBITIONS IN LIFE.....
my youngest son, came into the house as his brother is on his way out for a date. my youngest son was born during the peak of the winter months in january. i have been with him for five years only--until i went abroad to work. this boy is big and very robust --- physically and big for his age and heritage. he loves the outdoor and he has a strong will and strong conviction that is so challenging to the point that i cannot understand and cope up with it. he looks at life and its challenges---not as a challenge---but just a passing scene on his life as if it was part of scene in a movie that he does not know the ending. his way of life is nothing that is complicated---but rather a life that has to be implicated to so many things that at times it becomes a burden both for him and my self and his mom. he look at life as if the things that has happened and will happened are all already prepared and all planned and there is nothing he could do but to do a head on collision with it and then assess the damage later. his life is not a circle--but a sqaure, wherein a circle is contineoulsy circling until there is no more to circumnavigate and circle the entire axis---over and over and over again. he looks at life as four side wall of different measurements and each side has a different scenario that has to be faced and be challenged on a head on collision. it has to be one phase of the wall---one day at a time and one scene per chapter. he thinks of his life as not a man behind the wheels--but a man who will eventually make the wheels, then will be turning it--in the time of his choosing---in the cycle that he wanted. i was watching the television this evening after reading my book and he got a call from his friend at 2430 hrs. although it was only three blocks away from the house--- he wanted to use my car cuz there is again something wrong with his car. he will leave tomorrow for colorado springs to visit his friend. he borrowed my car--- with no promise of time--we no promise of when he will be back home. he was saying his thank you--while walking towards the stairs---reverbearating the echo of his thank you---in an old-- long hall way house of brick and pine wood. then when i was about to finish this entry ---he came back---took a quick shower, wrote down all the fon nos that i could contact him, aside from his cell fon, kissed me and said " i love you dad" and said to relay the message also to his mom who is already sleeping.
TWO SONS, TWO DREAMS, TWO HOPES, TWO CHARACTERS AND TWO AMBITIONS IN LIFE.....
i always pray that i see their life of their choosing and the patterns that they have chosen and the dreams that they have chosen for themselves. i always wanted to tell them HOW MUCH I LOVE THEM--but time is always the essence---each of us has always a schedule to follow and an agenda to take. i wish they could be little boys again---so i could hold their hands and guide them where they wanted to go and choose their own clothes and buy things for them. i guess those wishes and dreams are all gone. HISTORY IS REAPEATING ITSELf.
MY TWO SONS.... MY TWO LOVE....MY TREASURE IN LIFE. |
| posted by infraternam meam @ 2:52 AM |
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| Sunday, January 11, 2004 |
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WHEN WILL THIS DEEP FREEZE END==========================
on my way to work this afternoon, i have to pass by my dentist for the regular check up and cleaning. it was so damn cold. there is snow falling like giant dundruff and my back yard and my driveway is still covered with the recent snow and the driveway is still solid ice cuz the salt that i have spread out is not enough to melt the snow and ice on the ground. the wind chill is terrible. i cannot even smile. my eyeglasses is already having some fog on it ---cuz of the cold.
i was done by my dentist early and i still have two hours to kill before work and so i went to the market place to buy some vegetables and eggs and do some window shopping at the fresh produce market place. i wanted to buy mangoes but it is so damn expensive and the rest of the fruits and veggies likewise. the only thing cheap is chicken . i bought a box of fresh eggs around 6 dozen in a box and some onions. i am not going to buy the eggplant cuz the prize is so expensive. winter times brings lots of expensive fruits and veggies. then i went to the grocery to buy some bottled water and canned items and some link sausages.
then i head for work. the sky is still cloudy and it is already dark and it is only 4pm. i was praying that the airport will not close and flights to resume again or else we are all going to be in trouble again with all the complaints and crazy pax calling and yelling. i got one crazy pax ---- after one hour on the fon and demanding to ask for my badge numner cuz i cannot tell him where her bag is. told me she will get me fired---i told her i cannot give her my badge number and yes---- she can write a letter to upper management and get me fired.i was about to tell her---she could eat shit for all i care--- i am not scared to be dismissed from work. i told her she cud fall in line cuz she was the 6th one today who is telling me she will get me fired and the rest of the agents in my dept. the stupid idiot thinks any one cud just be fired cuz she says so. the damn ass bitch did not know we have a union. oh well----- my 8 hrs was finished---- the service director on duty is asking me to stay for overtime. i told him ----over my dead body. i will not stay longer to listen to people whinning and complaining on the fon like little children.
i went to my car at the parking lot and the car window was solid ice. i have to start the engine first to warm up the car while scrapping the ice formation on the windows and rear of the car. when i arrived home to unload the groceries and eggs---the entire whole box of eggs is solid frozen---all the veggies are forzen---the entire case of mineral bottled water is solid ice. now i have to steam the veggies and hard boiled the eggs. when i wake up tomorrow noon time i have to process the hard boiled eggs and pickled the eggs and veggies so that it will not be wasted. forget about the bottled water. left it inside the trunk of my car. i have steamed the frozen veggis---the steam veggies has to be sealed in ziplock bags and be frozen inside the freezer for future use so it wont be wasted also. the small sack of onion that was frozen also has to be boiled and i have to make onion soup tomorrow when i wake up-----lotsa lotsa onion soup.
i am taking two days off--sunday and monday. i am already loosing my mind talking to stupid pax and the cold weather is already killing and taking its toll on me. and i am craving for mango---as if i am a woman conceiving. mango pudding....burong mangga....mango macarova cake...mango cheese cake.... mango puree....mango creme pie...mangong ina nya...i am getting crazy for mango. i need helpppppp.
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| posted by infraternam meam @ 4:05 AM |
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| Friday, January 09, 2004 |
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THE WORST AND THE BEST OF PAX OF MY AIRLINE
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I just got home from work---- we are having problem at work cuz there's lots of airport that is having problem because of weather. Portland Oregon (PDX) is one Seattle (SEA) is another---Burlington VT(BTV) also is another one Denver (DEN) is another one and chicago o'Hare (ORD) was also another problem because of snow and weather problem.
thousand of pax is complaining because they cannot locate their bags and they were rerouted to some many places and was really so aggravated because of this. we cannot do anything about it--weather is the greatest enemy of the airline industry. but pax will not accept that---they just want to complain and keep on whinng on the fon.
I got this woman whose bag are still at SEA since the 07Jan and when i got the call---she was complaing and ranting on the fon saying she needed her bag or else she will have medical problem. said she has cancer and medicine is inside the bags. i told this woman ---- if this is a medical problem she has to go to the hospital now and or call her doctor cuz i cannot guarantee on how fast and when her bag cud be reuinted with her.
SHE IS ONE OF THE WORST PAX.
This man called and said he was with the military and wants to know what happened to his military issue bag that has his uniform inside. i said it was still in DEN and there is no way i cud speed up the movements of his bag. pax said it is ok cuz he cud understand the weather and there is nothing he can do about it.
HE IS ONE OF THE BEST PAX.
This man called and as soon as i answered the fon---this man is on the war path. demanding to know when he cud get his bag and screaming on the fon and told me he has more than USD300 worth of meat inside the bag. fresh venison of course that he hunted. advs pax there is a disclaimer in the air ticket that pax checking in perishable item inside the bag is assuming responsibility if the bag get delayed or gets lost. the perishable item is not covered by the insurance and liabilty of the airline. he was screaming on the fon---as if this is the end of the world for him.
HE IS ONE OF THE WORST PAX.
An old lady called and said she is now at Lahui (LIH) and was at Maoi (OGG) last 05jan and asking what happen to his bag. said the bag has a bed spread that she crochet for one year to be given to her friend as a chirstmas gift and now it is missing. said this is not going to be repalced by compensation. explained to her procedures and liability but to no avail. i have never heard an old lady curse and swear like this on the fon at her old age.
SHE ISONE OF THE WORST PAX.
A 22 year boy called and said he went to Reno (RNO) to have a short winter vacation so that he cud go snowboarding and we lost his bag. this young man came from Santa Barbara (SBA) and all his winter gear is inside the bag and now he is back home to SBA and still we cannot locate his bag. apologized to this young man and advised him i will check on it until we locate his bag. no complain---did not even raised his voice---no cursing not a word of ill will against my company. i gave him a USD100 trvl certs and told him to file a claim and i will folllow up the claim for him.
HE IS ONE OF THE GOOD PAX.
A young man called who just flew in from Hannover/germany (HMJ) and his bag did not show up in customs SFO and was telling me he attended a show for Tattoo artist and all his instrument is inside the bag. apologized and advise him what we are doing to locate the bag even it was not transferred to us by his first carrier. caller said it is ok with him as long as the bag will be located and will be delivered to his home---he does not have any problem cuz he understand what is happening and will not hold it against the airline.
HE IS ONE OF THE GOOD PAX.
i cud give out hundreds of examples of the good and the worst but i will consume the whole page of the blogspot the whole night typing it. if you were on the other end of the fon receivng all these calls from irate pax---it will be enough for you to pull your hair or quit. but for me---it does not bother me anymore. i am already used to it and have already have a heart of stone in the feelings towards all these pax. one can only laugh on what these pax will say on the fon and all the insults that i get from them.
pax has the tendency of saying stupid things and will lie to their teeth on the fon---like as if we are stupid and does not know what they are talking about.
so nice to consult and witch and voodoo incanter to pin a needle on each pax that is rude on the fon.
i wonder if there are still some of these women in the phils called "Manananggal" and "Mangkukulam" |
| posted by infraternam meam @ 4:32 AM |
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| Wednesday, January 07, 2004 |
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HOW SMART ARE YOU? A SIMPLE QUIZ
(sent by a friend)
Write down your answers to check them at the end.
1. on a standard traffic light, is the green on the top o bottom?
2. how many states are there?
3. in which hand is the statue of Liberty's torch?
4. what 6 colors are on the classic Campbell's soup label?
5. what 2 letters don't appear on the telephone dial?
6. what 2 #'s on the telephone dial don't have letters by them?
7. when you walk-- does your left arm swing with your right or left leg?
8. how many matches are there in a standard pad?
9. on the American flag, is the top stripe red or white?
10.what is the lowest # on the FM dial?
11.which way does the water go down the drain, clockwise or counter clockwise?
12.which way does a No Smoking sign's slash run?
13.how many channels on a VHF TV dial?
14.which side of a woman's blouse are the buttons on?
15.on a NY license plate, is New York on the top or the bottom?
16.which way do fans rotate?
17.whose face is on a dime?
18.how many sides does a stop sign have?
19.do books have even # pages on the right or left?
20.how many lug nuts are there on a standard car wheel?
21.how many sides are there on a standard pencil?
22.Sleepy, Happy, Sneezy, Grumpy, Dopey, Doc. Who's missing?
23.how many hot dog buns are in a standard package?
25.on which card is the cardmaker's trademark?
26.on which side of a venetian blind is the cord that adjusts the opening between the slats?
27.on the back of a one dolloar bill, what is in the center?
28.there are 12 buttons on a touch tone phone. what 2 symbols bear no digits?
29.How many curves are in astandard paper clip?
30.does a merry-go-round turn clockwise or counter-clockwise?
ANSWERS:
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1.) Bottom 2.) 50 3.)Right 4.) Blue,red,whit,yellow,black, and gold 5.)Q,z
6.)1,0 7.) Left 8.) 20 9.) Red 10.) 88 11.) counter clock wise(unless u happen to be south of the equator) 12.) towards the bottom right 13.) 12 (no #1) 14.) right
15.) Top 16.) clockwise as you look at it 17.) Roosevelt 19.) Left
20.) 5 21.) 6 22.) Bashful 23.) 6 24.) did you notice there wasnt a question no 24?
25.) ace of spades 26.) left 27.) one 28.)* , # 29.) 3 30.) counter-clockwise
SCORING:
==========
28 - 30 SCORE/ GENIUS
25 - 27 sCORE/ NOT TOO SHABBY!
20 - 24 SCORE/ YOU COULD DO BETTER!
16 - 19 SCORE/ McDONALD IS CALLING!
1 - 15 SCORE/ BEING BLIND WON'T AFFECT YOU ONE BIT!
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| posted by infraternam meam @ 1:42 AM |
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| Tuesday, January 06, 2004 |
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PRES. JOHN F. KENNEDY'S FAVOURITE POEM
I HAVE A RENDEZVOUS WITH DEATH
by Alan Seeger (1888-1916)
I have a rendezvous with Death
At some disputed barricade,
When Spring comes back with rustling shade
And apple-- blossoms fill the air --
I have a rendezvous with Death
When Spring brings back blue days and fair.
It may be he shall take my hand
And lead me into his dark land
And close my eyes and quench my breath --
It may be shall pass him still.
I have a rendezvous with Death
On some scarred slope of battered hill,
When Srping comes round again this year
And the first meadow -- flowers appear.
God knows 'twere bettter to be deep
Pillowed in silk and scented down,
Where Love throbs out in blissful sleep,
Pulse nigh to pulse, and in breath to breath,
Where hushed awakenings are dear...
But I've rendezvous with Death
At midnight in some flaming town,
When Spring trips north again this year,
And I to my pledged word am true,
I shall not fail that rendezvous.
PRES. JOHN F. KENNEDY UNDELIVERED SPEECH
Speech prepared for delivery at the Trade Mart
November 22, 1963 / Dallas, Texas
(...) America today is stronger than ever before.
Our adversaries have not abandoned their ambitions---
our dangers have not diminished -- our vigilance
cannot be relaxed. But now we have the military,
the scientific and the economic strength to do whatever
must be done for the preservation and promotion of freedom.
The strength will never be used in pursuit of aggressive
ambitions--it will always be used in pursuit of peace.
It will never be used to promote provocations -- it will always
be used to promote the peaceful settlement of disputes.
We in this country, in this generation, are -- by destiny rather
than choice -- the watchmen on the walls of world freedom.
We ask, therefore, that we may exercise our strength
with wisdom and restraint -- and that we may achieve
in our time and for all time the ancient vision of "peace
on earth, good will toward men." That must always be
our goal -- and the righteousness of our cause must
always underlie our strength. For as was written longe ago:
"Except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain."
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| posted by infraternam meam @ 9:07 PM |
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THE OXFORD DICTIONARY OF HUMUROUS QUOTATIONS:
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(excerpts as compiled by: Ned Sherrin)
a). Of Life and Living----------------------
1. "Life is a sexually transmitted disease."
(graffito- found in a London underground)
2. "Cocaine habit-forming? Of course not. I ought to know. I've been using it for years."
(Talullah Bankhead - 1903-68)
3. "Life is the funny thing that happens to you on the way to the grave."
(Quentin Crips - 1908-99)
4. "Life is a cabaret, old chum. Come to the cabaret."
(Fred Ebb 1965)
5. "If A is a success in life, then A equals x plus y plus z. Work is x; y is play; and z is keeping your mouth shut".
(Albert Einstein 1879-1955)
6. "Life is just one damned thing after the another".
(Elbert Hubbard 1859-1915)
7. "Life is something to do when you cannot go to sleep".
(Fran Lebowitz 1946)
8. "Life is a shit sandwich and everyday you take another bite."
(Joe Schmidt 1979)
9. "Oh, isn't life a terrible thing, thank God?"
(Dylan Thomas 1914-1953)
10."Laugh it off, laugh it off; it's all part of life's pageant"
(Arthur Marshall 1910-1989)
B. Of Love
-------------
1. "If this is not love, it is madness, and then it is pardonable"
(William Congreve 1670-1729_
2. "They made love as though they were an endangered species".
(Peter de Vries 1910-1993)
3. "Love is a disease. But curable".
(Rose Macaulay 1881-1958)
4. " Love is a dillusion that one woman differs from another."
(H.L. Mencken 1880-1956)
5. "Most gentlemen does not like love, They just like to kick it around".
(Cole Porter 1891-1964)
6. "Love's like measles-- all the worse when it comes late in life".
(Douglas Jarrod 1803-1957)
7. "If love is the answer, could you rephrase the question?"
(Lily Tomlin 1939)
8. "Love conquers all things --- except poverty and toothache".
(Mae West 1892-1980)
9. "To love oneself is the beginning of a live long romance".
(Oscar Wilde 1854-1900)
10."Loving you Is not a Choice And not much reason To rejoice".
(Stephen Sondheim 1930)
c. On Marriage------------------
1. "Marriage is the only war where one sleeps with the enemy."
(Mexican saying)
2. "A man cannot marry before he has studied anatomy and has dissected at least one woman".
(Honore de Balzac 1799-1850)
3. "The most happy marriage I can picture or imagine to myself would be the union of a deaf man to a blind woman".
(Samuel Taylor Coleridge 1772-1834)
4. "What are your views in marriage? 'Rather garbled' ".
(Noel CVoward 1899-1973)
5. "A man in love is incomplete until he has married. Then he is finished".
(Zsa Zsa Gabor 1919)
6. "Advise to a man about to marry----"Don't".
(Punch 1841-1992)
7. "A young man married is a man that's marred".
(William Shakespeare 1564-1616)
8. "It is a woman's business to get married as soon as possible, and a man's to keep unmarried as long as he can."
(Gerge Bernard Shaw 1856-1950)
9. "Marriage isn't a word.....it's a sentence!".
(King Vidor 1895-1982)
10."Marriage is a great institution---but I am not ready for an institution yet">
(Mae West 1892-1980)
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| posted by infraternam meam @ 2:22 AM |
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| Monday, January 05, 2004 |
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THE AFTERMATH OF THE XMAS SNOW STORM
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the snow came down at exactly 845 in the morning sunday 03jan. when i woke up the backyard has already 5 inches of snow. i have to prepare the backyard and snow blow the driveway or else i wont be able to get out of the garage to get to work this afternoon.
i left the house at 1545 hrs to give sometime for me in case there will be delay in the tollway cuz of the snow. it was a great delay. when i entered the illinois tollway---the plow has just started plowing the snow and the trucks have just started salting the toll way. there's lots of cars that slide and went on the ditches on the side of the road. there are some drivers who are so fast even if there is snow falling and the road has not been plowed and salted yet. that is the reason there's lots of accident. i was only driving 40miles per hour. i don't want to have an accident on the road. i have prepared the car with flashlights, extra blankets, some snacks and i was carrying two of my cel fon.
when i arrived at work and park at the lot near the south run way--- i can see the trucks plowing the run way at o'hare international airport. i can see also lots of plane parked and not moving ----some of them are being de-iced but majority was not airborne. more than 300 flts was cancelled at o'hare and this means there will be lots of complaints again on the fon. there's only 15 of us answering the fon. 7 agents called in sick----like as if they are really sick. my boss is asking me to do some overtime. hell no----i will not stay longer and listen to all the shit on the fon. i already did overtime for two days and that is enough. up to the last minute the boss is asking me and the rest of the group to stay overtime. four stay--i won't . its not worth the time and the money.
there are so much bitches on the fon. one particular bitch is a man who is bitching like a woman. he kept on saying that he was flying for 30 hrs already and needs his bag. the bith landed in miami from south america and cleared customs there--- but the problem is he still have to have connections on another two flts before reaching his final destination which is Oakland/California. this Mahadera is yelling and said his bags has all his toilettries and he cannot be comfortable at home without it. kept on saying so many shit on the fon...yadah...yadah...yadah...i kept on saying ..uuhghh..ughghh. then finally nakahalata ang bakla tumigil and stop talking and asked me if i am listening. so i said i was all ears to his problem. he will see his bags four days from now. i guarantee it.i will not stand any bitch---especially a man on the fon, talking like the queen of sheeba.
new security systems are now imposed at all port of entry airports of the united states. i was reading my profiles and briefings at work.....if a tourists comes to the united states..he or she will be asked to stand infront of the immigration officer and a picture will be taken and fingerprinting will be done at the counter of the immigration officer. if in case the pictures and the fingerprints showed in the computer bank as a balcklisted person...sorry..that person will not and wont be allowed to enter the united states.no question ask--wil be deported immediately to where he or she came from.
drivers licenses are being checked from where it was acquired and is being checked if it was legit or not . once there is a probable discrepancy---the holder of the said drivers license will be receing letters to come to the nearest liensure or police department.
all of these things happen after christmas--on the aftermath of xmas snow...winter in january.
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| posted by infraternam meam @ 4:04 AM |
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| Sunday, January 04, 2004 |
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WORKING IN A HELL LIKE ATMOSPHERE
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i just got home from work---it is now 0500hrs 04jan and chicago is expecting heavy snow by 9am today. the weatherman said it will be around 9 to 10 inches of snow. i have to prepare my snow boots and babushka hat for winter.
work is tough today. all the calls i got is like talking to the clan of Belzeebub(name given to the devil in the scriptures) all pax are so rude and beligerant on the fon. i am so stupid. i dont know why i let my supervisor talked me into doing overtime. i cant believe it nor my friends at work cant believe it also. i am doing overtime. i have been in this company for 9 years and i have never done any overtime work. my supervisor is a nice person and i dont want him to say that i am an Ingrate.
well pax are so rude enough that you wish you have the choice to curse them out also and yell at them. i raise my voice at them when they curse me out and i will not tolerate anybody cursing me out and telling me to go back where i came from. hell will break loose if they say things like that to me. eight members of my family died for the war of this country and my father was tortured by the japanese serving the army of this country during the 2nd world war. so ---nobody can tell me to go bak where i came from or i will give them hell even if i get fired. this is not the end of the world for me. i have a second job and my own business. i work for this airline to travel for free.
my last call was from a bitchy woman who is threatening me that she will write a letter of complaint and will get me fired. so i told her i will give her my job in a sivler platter and gave her my full name. she could drop dead for all i care.
my first call---- as soon as i started was from a guy calling all the way from guatemala city. a stupid whiner on the fon. he does not know how to listen to explanation and was very unreasonable. he was about to have a heart attack on the fon--cursing and yelling. i let him yell until he has already reach the peak of loosing his voice. then i told him to call bak again---then i said goodbye and hang up the fon.
the second call as soon as i plug in also ---is coming from beijing. this one is so weird. this man is saying that there are things inside the bag that he needed and these things inside the bag are his medicinal herbs. when i look into the key contents of this bag----there are leaf inside the bags that was labelled spices and herbal medicine but the bag was held at los angeles. the airport security will not release the bag and expedite it to beijing china, the bag is held at the TSA office until the return of the pax.
of well---so much for all these stories of miseries and rude pax.
i am going to sleep and wait for the snow fall. i will sleep like a baby and i am sure all the bitchy and asshole pax who called and cursed us on the fon did not sleep well. i did not loose any thing---they lost something and i wont tell them where it is. |
| posted by infraternam meam @ 5:17 AM |
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| Friday, January 02, 2004 |
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PROVERBS:
Meanings and Origins of Popular Sayings
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(as compiled by: Martin H. Manser)
11. beauty is only skin deep:
--- meaning : beauty is only a superficial quality, and may conceal an unplesant character or nature. this proverb was first recorded in 1613. the variant for this proverb is : "beauty is only skin deep, but goodness goest to the bone."
12. the best thing in life are free:
--- meaning: the most rewarding or satisfying experiences in life are often those that cost nothing. this proverb originated in 1927 as the title of a song, which contains the following lines :"The moon belongs to everyone, The best things in life are free, The stars belongs to everyone,They gleam there for you and me".
13. better late than never:
--- meaning : it is better that somebody arrives or something happens later than expected or desired, than not at all.this proverb was first recorded in english c. 1330, the proverb is probably of an ancient Roman origin. The phrase "But better never late." is often added or said in response to the proverb.
14. better safe than sorry:
--- meaning: it is wiser to take precautions---even if they seem unnecessary or excessive---than to risk disaster. this proverb was first recorded in 1837, in Samuel Lover's novel "Rory O'Moore", with sure in place of safe.
15. the bigger they are, the harder they fall:
--- meaning: the downfall of a great or important person is more painful and catastropic than that of a lesser person.this proverb in its current form is attributed to the heavyweight boxer Robert Fitzsimmons(1858-1917) but the sentiment it expresses was first recorded in english as early as 1493, compare the roman poet Caludian(4th cent,A.D.)
"Tolluntur in altum, Ut lapsu graviore ruant"(meaning: "men are raised on high in order that they may fall more heavily")
16. birds of the same feather flock together:
--- meaning: people tend to associate with those of similar character, interests, or opinions; often used with derogatory implications. this proverb dates back in the 16th cent. or earlier in this form, but the sentiment it expressed is found in the Apocrypha:"The birds will resort unto their like". (Ecclessiasticus 27:9)
17. blood is thicker than water:
--- meaning: bonds of loyalty and affection between members of the same family are much stronger than any other relationships. this proverb was first recorded in this form in 1813, but the sentiment it expresses is of much earlier origin, compare the 12cent German saying:"sippeblout von wassere niht verdirbet" ("kind blood is not spoiled in water")
18. dead men tell no tales:
--- meaning: it may be expedient to kill somebody who could betray a secret or give information about criminal activities of others. this proverb was first recorded in 1664 in J. Wilson Andronicus Comnenius.
19. a dog is mans best friend:
--- meaning: dogs are more faithful than any human companion. the proverb was first recorded in a letter written by the English poet Alexander Pope in 1709.
20. don't bite the hands that feed you:
--- meaning: donot behave unkindly or ungratefully toward those on whom you depend for financial or other support. this proverb was first recorded in 1711.
21. don't give up the ship:
--- meaning: never stop fighting and donot surrender. this proverb has been attributed to James Lawrence, commander of the U.S. frigate "Chesapeake".
22. donot judge the book by its cover:
--- meaning: donot form an opinion about something or somebody based soley on outward appearance. this proverb was forst recorded in 1929 in the form of:" You cant' judge a book by its binding". |
| posted by infraternam meam @ 3:06 PM |
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PROVERBS:
Meanings and Origins of Popular Sayings
=============================
(as compiled by: Martin H. Manser)
1. actions speak louder than words:
--- the first recorded use of this proverb, in the form "actions are more precious than words", was in a speech by the english politician John Pym in 1628, Its current form is of U.S. origin.
2. age before beauty:
--- this proverb was first recorded in 1843, facetious retorts or extensions to the proverb includes "bBeauty before the beast". or "Grace before meat." and "Pearls before swine".
3. all good things must come to an end:
--- this proverb was first record c. 1440: " Ye wrote wele of all thing moste be an ends" the word good was probably not included until the 19th or early 20th century.
4. all's well that ends well:
--- first recorded in this form c. 1530, the proverb is perhaps the best known as the title of one of Shakespeare's play.
5. all that glitters is not gold:
--- this proverbs occurs in Shakespear's play "The Merchant of Venice" in the form:"All that glitters is not gold", but the sentiment it expresses was first recorded c. 1220.
6. always a bridesmaid, never a bride:
--- this proverb is also used more generally as alament by a young womand who receives many invitations to be a bridesmaid but not aproposals of marriage.this proverb was first recorded in 1881 in the form :" Always a maiden, never a wife", the word maiden being a "bridal attendant" in this context.
7. always look on the bright side:
--- the proverbs was first recorded in 1726, in a sermon by John Wesley, according to a less well known saying , "if you try to make some people see the bright side, they will complain that it hurts their eyes".
8. appearances are deceiving:
--- this proverb was first recorded in 1666, in an Italian proverb collections, but the sentiment it expresses can be found in one of Aesop Fables (16th cent.b.c.), which also gave rise to the figurative praise:" a wolf in sheep's clothing".
9. an apple a day keeps the doctor away:
--- the proverb was first recorded in 1866 in the form:" eat an apple on going to bed/ and you'll keep the doctor from earning his bread".
10.ask me no questions and I'll tell you no lies:
--- this proverb was based on a biblical quotation, "coAnswer a fool according to his folly,lest he be wise in his own conceit"(Proverbs 26:5) the variant of this proverb is: "silly question, silly answer".
(to be continued--- i am very sleepy) |
| posted by infraternam meam @ 5:02 AM |
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| About Me |
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Name: infraternam meam
Home: Chicago, United States
About Me: I am now at the prime of my life
and have been married for the past 25 years.
Sickly at times, but wants to see the elixir vita,
so that I will be able to see my grandchildren from my two boys.
See my complete profile
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