craving for Chinese food

Irvin cooks dinner most of the time since I get home almost 7 pm daily. As usual, dinner was ready and the table was already set when I reached home last night. But I was craving for Chinese food which I try not to eat as much as possible. Well it definitely tastes good but is also high in MSG which is kind of bad for your health. And so this was our conversation:

I: Let’s order from Jade Garden (the one we usually order from) then.
F: But I want a taste of different kinds!
I: So where do you suggest that we go?
F: Well the nearest Chinese Buffet here is Century Diner Buffet in Springfield Blvd. but I’ve never been there.
I: So let’s go!
F: Wait! I have to find out first how much it is per person. There is this restaurant which serves good food…well at least for me…which charges $21.95 plus tax for dinner buffet. If it’s less than $15, then we’ll go.

I called Century Diner and voila! It’s only $12.99! I mean it’s not that bad and I don’t crave all the time anyway!

And so we went. There was a wide selection of dishes. I will have to say that serving oysters and crab legs are good for that price. There were just some that are salty. Bottom line, we were stuffed and we didn’t regret going.

college days...

The Class of Bachelor of Science in Accountancy Batch '95...

There were only 15 of us in the class… 2 of which were irregulars. Accountancy as a course in St. Paul College of Manila was never easy. It wasn’t just a matter of what you like. There were some qualifications that you have to meet to stay in the course. We were like in a reality show where we were being rated and eliminated. Enrollment every semester was a horrible moment for each one of us. There you’ll wait on line waiting for your judgment…waiting for them to tell you if you can stay or not. Some professors were nice but some were strict. Despite these difficulties, there were those ‘happy moments’. I have gained friends. I’ve learned a lot from the school and teachers. I have developed self-confidence. I’ve learned that you’ll have to work hard to achieve something. Time will slip away but knowledge is something that will remain in us.

1995 - 2006

Jennifer has created a yahoogroup for BSA class of '95. It's been 11 long years since graduation. We may have communicated with some of our classmates but we weren't really updated with what's what to some. So what happened to me after our college graduation?

I’ve always wanted to be an Accountant. Imagine taking the board exams four times! Maybe it wasn’t really for me. But despite that, I decided to stay in my chosen career. I was lucky to have been employed by Castrol Philippines. I started as a Finance Clerk. I spent a little more than 6 years with the company. I have very high regards for Castrol even up to now. It may sound biased since that’s the only company I have worked for in the Philippines but employees’ growth was one of the company’s priorities. It was there where I experienced traveling. I had so much fun flying and working in the field. I also learned how to be an effective speaker having had the chance to present to the top management on a regular basis. I was also conducting seminars to clients/distributors and sales executives. I have attended various seminars not just those related to my field but also on computers and self-improvement trainings. I was holding the position of Credit Control Officer by the time I left the company. I didn’t really want to leave but I came to a point of wanting to move to a different phase of my life…which is to go to the US.

On the personal side…I’m not sure if you can still remember Irvin. He was my boyfriend in college who also became my husband. I’m so lucky to have someone as kind and loving. During the course of our relationship, I crazily fell in love (I’m not even sure if you can call it Love) with an officemate in Castrol. I wouldn’t anymore elaborate on that. I still consider that as one big mistake in my life up to now. I mean I have to say that that was one of the things I regret still. So Irvin and I had our ‘off’ moments then but for us, we never counted those and we still consider being together in the relationship for 11 years and 8 months before we finally got married.

I came here in the US on March 2002 as a tourist. It was not until 2 months later when I started looking for a job… internet, papers, even through referrals. My passport was stamped for a 6-month stay. I told myself I’m definitely not staying if I can’t find a job but I luckily did. My god sister contacted me in Massachusetts about a job opening in their sister company. I went to New York for an interview and I was lucky to be hired on the spot. I tried haggling for the salary but they wouldn’t consider it. So it took me 3 weeks to finally accept the offer…good thing the position was still available!

I was kind of desperate at first. Homesickness is something which is very hard to deal with. The 1st few months of my life here was horrible so to speak. I didn’t know anyone. I was a total stranger to the place. I missed my family and friends. But God has been always good. I got adjusted pretty fast with the new environment. My performance at the job paid off that I got good salary increases. I got along well with co-workers. The thing is I couldn’t go home. There was a big risk of not being able to come back since I changed my status here. Irvin became desperate and we even came to a point that he was making me choose.

I did a lot of thinking until I finally decided to accept Irvin’s marriage proposal. It was August 2004. This I think was the hardest decision I ever made. I have already started a life here. It wasn’t easy. I’ve gone through a lot of sacrifices. Anyone would really feel sorry if everything will turn to waste…considering also that life in the Philippines is hard nowadays. But I lifted everything to God. I did what I had to do and just prayed that He’ll do what’s best. Anyway, we told our parents about it and started planning right away… reserved the church… decided on the reception venue… etc. etc. I went home mid-September 2005. I underwent an interview at the US Embassy and I got approved for a working visa. We got married on October 1st of the same year. I came back to the US without encountering any problems. Three months later, Irvin got approved for a dependent visa. He was finally able to join me on February 28th. The only thing that we worry about right now is Irvin couldn’t find a job. That’s the restriction of his status. Still, we both believe it’ll happen in His time.

Well, I think I have covered the significant areas of the 11 years that had passed. What’s next? Maybe it’s time to have a baby! I’ll keep you posted!

Joe & John

I never used the video feature of my digicam before. Well I must admit I have not read the manual up to now. Anyway, I tried it when we were in MA and here's what I got...

MA vacation

Wow it took me almost 2 weeks to make this post on our 5-day vacation in Massachusetts (MA). Well, I’ve been kind of busy with work lately and most of the time I don’t even want to touch the computer at home. All I want is to relax.

Anyway, we traveled to MA on May 24th. I took off an hour and a half early from work. It was Irvin’s 1st time to see MA and to meet Tita Laling and her family. We were earlier than scheduled but I noticed there weren’t much buses running then. Well Memorial Day wasn’t until the 29th. I was confident that we will make it for the train (last trip) going to Leominster as I’ve already taken this schedule a couple of times before. But I started to worry when the operator dropped some passengers off at Framingham. He even stopped by at a resting area for 10-15 minutes. We took the subway upon arrival at the terminal. But despite the running and panting, we missed the train. It was already past 12 midnight so there wasn’t any choice but to take a cab. And so we took a cab. I asked the driver how much but he said he needs to find out. I told him to start going because it was already late. Tita Laling, on the other hand, gave me an idea that a cab coming from her place would cost us $92. I was shocked when this driver told me the fare is $152. I was really shocked. It was really a rip-off. I felt really bad being charged that much just because they know we don’t have a choice. Grrr!!!

We didn’t really get to visit many places. We were just basically at Tita Laling’s house most of the time. Going out can be best described as going to the mall, grocery supermarket or to the restaurant. But despite that, the feeling was just great being in a house you feel like home. Irvin felt the same way too. I’m also glad that he pretty much got along with Tito Ken and Joe especially.

Irvin would sit down with Tito Ken most of the afternoons having some little talks and some beers. i don’t remember Tito Ken doing that except when it’s family.

Tita Laling also took Irvin to Longhorn…my ever favorite American restaurant. Why? Their honey baby back ribs are just yummy and juicy!

We also went to a seafood place called Weathervane. Their fish and chips also taste good. But you know what’s funny?! We were just so hungry every time we go to these restaurants that I forgot to take pictures of the food.

You just can’t resist trying Mommy’s barbeque. I don’t know but I really like it. Irvin asked the recipe from his Mom and we tried it there. I couldn’t say it was really a success but it tasted like hers.

We met Joe’s friend… John. And just like my cousin, he eats basically the same kind of food that Joe eats… never ending popcorn, chips, cheese pizza and the latest to the addition is the chicken fries from Burger King. These two guys are just fun to be with. I think they also enjoyed playing basketball with Irvin. Now every time Joe asks about Irvin, either he’ll ask if he’s eating Cheetos or watching basketball!





Irvin also enjoyed Tito Ken’s collection of old cars…





And here’s Tito Ken’s family…



Lastly, we went to downtown Boston with Tita Laling’s friend Weng and her son Billy. Prima who took us to Harvard also met with us. One of the many things which make Boston famous is the Street Theater. And we were lucky to be able to watch one…





It was a tiring but definitely fun-filled day with these guys.







For more pictures, please click here…

Oh and before I forget... here in the US, you pay $0.05 per can/bottle as deposit whenever you buy soda or beer. While we were in MA, we returned the used cans and bottles which have been piled up in Tita's yard. You know how much it came out to? $130.60! Yes! $130.60! At least I felt a little better that we were able to cover up for that cab fare. Haha! Again, thanks to Tita Laling! On another note, I felt kind of awkward when Tito Ken said... "Why do you have to return the cans? We have money!" Yaiks! :)

thanks to technology!

Being the 1st grandchild, I was ‘sort of’ raised by my grandparents. Mama even told me Tatay had to enroll me at the age of 4 without them knowing it. Tatay was basically making up excuses so my parents could not get me from them. Anyway, Tatay left us quite early… at an unexpected time.

Nanay, on the other hand, has never been showy…not vocal with what she really feels. But I know how much she loves us. I am a witness to how she showed her love… attending to our needs but not much in words. I try to call her once in a while. And it makes me sad every time I hear her cry for she misses us. She’s currently at Tita Aba’s house and thanks to technology! I was able to see her through the webcam with the help of my cousin Gail. I think she lost a lot of weight. She said she can’t really sleep and eat properly. I guess that’s how it is when you’re ageing. She looked sad and was teary-eyed. She said she misses me so much. She asked me when I will go home for a vacation. I told her maybe next year but not to expect. I mean who wouldn’t want to! But it’ll still depend on the situation. I just told her to take care of herself... that I want her to be in good health all the time.

I'll see you soon, Nanay...

it's my father-in-law's birthday!

Happy Birthday, Daddy! Wishing you happiness and good health always!