Happy 1st Monthsary Dubai!

30 days in Dubai, and thanks to the Lord, everything is going well.

It was struggle coming here to Dubai - financially, emotionally, spiritually. I never thought that everything would come to order, that I would be able to come here at all.

The first time I applied for a visa, it got rejected because the immigration here in the UAE deemed me too young to be traveling abroad. And so my friend and I (I came here with my friend, Ashley, who's cousin, Sheila, arranged all our papers so we could come here) applied for a visa again. This time with the help of an Emirati who has lots of wasta (connection) in the immigration office here in Dubai. We had to pay a hefty amount for the second visa application but thank God, it got approved and I started breathing normally again.

The day that I'm finally flying to Dubai came. 4 hours before my flight schedule, my mom's friend, who was already here in Dubai, called to inform me that the E-ticket issued to me was cancelled/fake and then she gave me my new ticket number. Just a few minutes after, Sheila called and told Ashley and me to disregard our previous E-tickets and use the new ones she just emailed. Too late, we already knew that the previous ones were fake and that she just emailed it to us in the first place so that we would be appeased.

Holding the thought that any last minute glitches can still happen, I entered the airport. All the time that I went through airport checks I keep asking God if Dubai is really for me. From the moment that I made the decision to come here, it felt like something always came up to make me decide against coming here. And so, the dreaded immigration interview came, I was asked by the tyrant-looking immigration officer at the Mactan International Airport about what am I going to do once I get to Dubai. I told him that I would go for a vacation, that everything was a gift from my dad and my mom's friend. He didn't buy it. I was nervous and a bit light-hearted because I was thinking that maybe that was God's answer, that Dubai is not for me. That even if my parents already spent a fortune for the trip, God wants me to stay at the comforts of our home, where my family and my friends are. The officer told me to sit in a corner and ponder on what I'm going to answer when he asks again. I have decided that I would give him the same answer and just let fate decide my future.

He did call me again, asked me again, and I answered him with the very same lines again. I was prepared that he would snap at me but suddenly his facial expression changed. From irritation, it became to resignation. He was probably thinking that he won't get any other answer from me so instead of reprimanding me, he started giving me advise on what to do once I land a job here in Dubai, that I should go to the Philippine Consulate to make it legal that I'm an overseas Filipino worker, etc. Inside, I was rejoicing, I was thinking that it was God who moved this man so that I could go to Dubai. Then he placed a stamp on my passport and I felt like shouting, "Dubai, here I come!"

From Cebu, Ashley and I arrived at Hongkong International Airport around 10:30 in the evening of November 29. The airport is so huge that we had to walk really fast because we only had an hour or so before our flight to Dubai. Once we got to the correct terminal for our 11:50 PM Dubai flight, we were surprised because almost 95% of the passengers who were waiting for that same flight were Filipinos. I wondered what were their immigration stories like but that was the moment when I really felt that along with my intense desire to come to Dubai, God also wanted this for me because He made it all possible.

The plane landed 30 minutes ahead of schedule, around 4:30 AM at Dubai International Airport. Another problem came up. Ashley and I didn't have roaming mobile numbers so we can't call or send an SMS to Sheila that we were already at the airport waiting for her to pick us up. Good thing a fellow Filipina allowed us to use her phone so that we can call Sheila. So we left the airport around 5:40 AM. I was already sleeping on my feet and was expecting to have a few hours of good sleep at my room which I already paid for before I came here to Dubai. But, alas, there was no bed waiting for me, neither for Ashley.

Sheila was explaining to us that a problem with the sleeping arrangement with her room mates came up that's why there was no available bed for Ashley and me but it was already beyond me to listen to another episode of her alibis. I just kept thinking that everything was God's plan and I was just thankful that I arrived safely in Dubai. For 2 nights, Ashley and I were sleeping on shifts with Sheila, her brother Alain, and her boyfriend, William. Until such time we moved to our new flat.

Then the job-hunting began, it was a long, tiring and trying experience. Ashley found a job first, around our 8th day here in Dubai. She is now working in a Dental Clinic but not in Dubai, in Sharjah, one of the seven emirates of UAE. So I was left alone to wonder the streets of Dubai, doing walk in applications in various clinics and hospitals, going for interview after interview, riding buses and calling possible employers. Although I was telling myself and the people around me that I'm okay with it, that I don't mind walking alone, I can't help but think that if I did not insist on leaving home at the first place, I would not have gone through all of those lonely walks. I kept asking myself and God, "Is leaving the comforts of our home, my family, friends worth all these? Is this what I bargained for? Is this what you planned all along, Lord?" And then, I'd meet somebody from an interview and they would talk to me first, ask for my number, and suddenly I don't feel so alone anymore. I have myself two new and good friends, a fellow Filipina and an Ethiopian lady, and I have been in constant communication with both of them until now. God is good, He always finds a way to answer my questions, to give me strength at the time when I almost want to leave everything and go home.

Around Day 15, Ashley had to move from Dubai to Sharjah because it's too expensive for her to be traveling back and forth both places. The feeling of being alone came back, I am left behind still with no job and left behind to live with her cousin who I believe took a lot of money from us. I didn't think that I would last for a week leaving with the very person who cheated us but maybe God has a reason, maybe He wanted me to learn that what I lost was just a material thing, that I should learn how to forgive and that what's important is that I don't lose myself, that I'd still be the same Karen when I go home and when the time comes that I have to answer to Him. It's now my 30th day and I'm still leaving with her, I now know her and I understand why she did that. It's hard to explain that to my parents, my friends who knew what she did but I hope that they, too, will learn to accept and maybe in time forgive her for what she had done.

As I am writing this, I am still leaving in a 3 bedroom flat in Al Muraqqabat, Deira. Sheila, William her boyfriend, Darius her friend, and me are all in the same room while the other two rooms are occupied by Nepalese people. But maybe later this day or before the year ends, I will be moving to another flat with people that I knew from church.

About the Nepali people, they are so friendly to us, very accommodating, the only problem I have with them is that they smoke too much. One Nepali guy, Netra, asked for my CV(Resume) so that he can submit it to their company, M.H. Alshaya Co. That happened weeks ago. I didn't expect that something would come out of it since the company is in to retail business, carrying brands like Debenhams, Topshop, Dorothy Perkins, Starbucks, H&M and many others. But surprisingly, I got a call from their office asking me to come for an interview. That interview was one of the most memorable for me. I was told to ask for Melanie for my interview and so I did.

Melanie, the British lady. It was much fun talking to her. For the first time that I came to Dubai, I was finally able to talk to someone who speaks English better than I do, and oh, how much I loved her accent! While I was talking to her, I never thought that I was on an interview, it just felt as though we were just having a chit chat. I was talking about myself, that I'm a nurse back in the Philippines and how it's so hard to look for a job there. She said, "Why don't you come to the UK?" And I told her, "I don't have enough experience." And she went off saying that it makes her really angry why any government is making it hard for foreign nurses to work in their respective countries when they know there's a great need for nurses now. I love her! And then she told me that she's sorry that she can only offer me a job in Starbucks which pays way below what nurses here in Dubai are paid. She knew right then and there that I can't accept that job but she was really kind to hold that position for me. She said that I would still have that job come January when my visa will almost expire and I still haven't found a health-related job. Also, she said that she will keep me in their talent pool for future openings. And so I left and continued to look for jobs in a clinic, medical centre, or hospital. A few days later, Alshaya called again to tell me that they would like me to work for Topshop, a clothing shop for ladies. I couldn't give an answer right away so they gave me 24 hours to think about it.

Almost every clinic or hospital I applied to would ask for a DOH license which I don't have. It's a license that would mean that I'm a registered nurse here in Dubai. Only a few clinics and medical centers would consider me but they would ask if I have my authenticated grade school, high school, and college diplomas with me, unfortunately, I don't have those, too. So that night when Alshaya called me again, I was really weighing my options, asking church mates, friends, my parents' friends, if I should accept what Alshaya is offering. I keep praying, asking God to help me make the right decision. And then I heard of someone who's 2-month visa is almost expiring and she still hasn't found any job. It got me thinking, I didn't apply for this job, those that I've been applying to kept rejecting me but Alshaya has always been there, calling me again and again even if I've rejected what they were offering at first. Alshaya is a blessing.

During my interview schedule there were a lot of applicants wanting to get interviewed as well, I was already lucky to have a schedule that day. Those who were interviewed looked really relieved that, finally, they will be working with Alshaya, I think I was the only one who looked troubled, confused. I didn't accept the first job they offered so they didn't have to hold that position for me, they also didn't need to keep me in their talent pool because there are so many other persons waiting to fill my position but they did! They did that for me. Forgive me if my thinking is so grand but that's how I feel, I'm so overwhelmed about how God works in mysterious ways. During my first few days, I kept complaining as to why I have to go through this job-hunting process when before I left home, I almost had a job and it was not me who applied for it. Everything was so easy back home, somebody is always around to make things happen for me. But I now realize that there was no "somebody" back home neither here in Dubai. It was and is and will be God all along.

I accepted the job, signed a contract with Alshaya and I am now waiting for my working visa. I have 2 to 3 more weeks of free time before I start working. The plan is to wait for all those diploma to be authenticated back in the Philippines, once I already have it, I will apply for the registration exam on my own and with God's help, pass it. And maybe after a year, if Alshaya will let me go, I can apply in hospitals and clinics once again.

I will soon be moving to my new flat and my new house mates will be the very people that I go to church with. I can honestly say that I'm going to miss Sheila, William, and Darius, most especially Ashley who is now in a different Emirate.

All those time that I've been walking alone, doubting myself, questioning God and receiving His blessings I realize, with the help of Pastor Manny, that I went through all that to know, to see, to feel, and to believe that God loves and will always love me, He loved me first and that He's allowing these things to happen to me so that I can learn to love Him back. I learned that during the very first Friday that I went to church and Pastor's exaltation was about God's love for us. How very apt to what I've been going through.

This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. - 1 John 4:10

So far, that's what I've been up to here in Dubai. Nothing really grand but I'm happy that I was able to know God more, experience the greatest love story I can ever have and it's with him.

For photos, visit my Multiply site.

A Story about Marriage

It seems to me that quite a number of my friends are getting married/are already married and another set of friends whose parents got divorced or separated. Getting married and divorce seems to go hand in hand nowadays that it makes me scared to walk that path in life just hearing about personal accounts of how happy and/or unlucky their marriage is/has become.

This story I've read from Facebook reminds us that marriage is not based on how stable our finances are but what makes a good marriage is when couples do little things for each other, things that remind them why they married that person in the first place, and things that no amount of money can buy, only love.



When I got home that night as my wife served dinner, I held her hand and said, I've got something to tell you. She sat down and ate quietly. Again I observed the hurt in her eyes.

Suddenly I didn't know how to open my mouth. But I had to let her know what I was thinking. I want a divorce... I raised the topic calmly.

She didn't seem to be annoyed by my words, instead she asked me softly, why?

I avoided her question. This made her angry. She threw away the chopsticks and shouted at me, you are not a man! That night, we didn't talk to each other. She was weeping. I knew she wanted to find out what had happened to our marriage. But I could hardly give her a satisfactory answer; she had lost my heart to Dew. I didn't love her anymore. I just pitied her!

With a deep sense of guilt, I drafted a divorce agreement which stated that she could own our house, our car, and 30% stake of my company.

She glanced at it and then tore it into pieces. The woman who had spent ten years of her life with me had become a stranger. I felt sorry for her wasted time, resources and energy but I could not take back what I had said for I loved Dew so dearly. Finally she cried loudly in front of me, which was what I had expected to see. To me her cry was actually a kind of release. The idea of divorce which had obsessed me for several weeks seemed to be firmer and clearer now.

The next day, I came back home very late and found her writing something at the table. I didn't have supper but went straight to sleep and fell asleep very fast because I was tired after an eventful day with Dew.

When I woke up, she was still there at the table writing. I just did not care so I turned over and was asleep again.

In the morning she presented her divorce conditions: she didn't want anything from me, but needed a month's notice before the divorce.

She requested that in that one month we both struggle to live as normal a life as possible. Her reasons were simple: our son had his exams in a month's time and she didn't want to disrupt him with our broken marriage.

This was agreeable to me. But she had something more, she asked me to recall how I had carried her into out bridal room on our wedding day.

She requested that everyday for the month's duration I carry her out of our bedroom to the front door ever morning. I thought she was going crazy. Just to make our last days together bearable I accepted her odd request.

I told Dew about my wife's divorce conditions... She laughed loudly and thought it was absurd. No matter what tricks she applies, she has to face the divorce, she said scornfully..

My wife and I hadn't had any body contact since my divorce intention was explicitly expressed. So when I carried her out on the first day, we both appeared clumsy. Our son clapped behind us, daddy is holding mummy in his arms. His words brought me a sense of pain. From the bedroom to the sitting room, then to the door, I walked over ten meters with her in my arms. She closed her eyes and said softly; don't tell our son about the divorce. I nodded, feeling somewhat upset. I put her down outside the door. She went to wait for the bus to work. I drove alone to the office.

On the second day, both of us acted much more easily. She leaned on my chest. I could smell the fragrance of her blouse. I realized that I hadn't looked at this woman carefully for a long time.. I realized she was not young any more. There were fine wrinkles on her face, her hair was graying! Our marriage had taken its toll on her. For a minute I wondered what I had done to her.

On the fourth day, when I lifted her up, I felt a sense of intimacy returning. This was the woman who had given ten years of her life to me.

On the fifth and sixth day, I realized that our sense of intimacy was growing again. I didn't tell Dew about this. It became easier to carry her as the month slipped by. Perhaps the everyday workout made me stronger.

She was choosing what to wear one morning. She tried on quite a few dresses but could not find a suitable one. Then she sighed, all my dresses have grown bigger. I suddenly realized that she had grown so thin, that was the reason why I could carry her more easily.

Suddenly it hit me... she had buried so much pain and bitterness in her heart. Subconsciously I reached out and touched her head..

Our son came in at the moment and said, Dad, it's time to carry mum out. To him, seeing his father carrying his mother out had become an essential part of his life. My wife gestured to our son to come closer and hugged him tightly. I turned my face away because I was afraid I might change my mind at this last minute. I then held her in my arms, walking from the bedroom, through the sitting room, to the hallway. Her hand surrounded my neck softly and naturally. I held her body tightly; it was just like our wedding day.

But her much lighter weight made me sad. On the last day, when I held her in my arms I could hardly move a step. Our son had gone to school. I held her tightly and said, I hadn't noticed that our life lacked intimacy.

I drove to office.... jumped out of the car swiftly without locking the door. I was afraid any delay would make me change my mind... I walked upstairs. Dew opened the door and I said to her, Sorry, Dew, I do not want the divorce anymore.

She looked at me, astonished, and then touched my forehead. Do you have a fever? She said. I moved her hand off my head. Sorry, Dew, I said, I won't divorce. My marriage life was boring probably because she and I didn't value the details of our lives, not because we didn't love each other any more. Now I realize that since I carried her into my home on our wedding day I am supposed to hold her until death do us apart.

Dew seemed to suddenly wake up. She gave me a loud slap and then slammed the door and burst into tears. I walked downstairs and drove away.

At the floral shop on the way, I ordered a bouquet of flowers for my wife. The salesgirl asked me what to write on the card. I smiled and wrote, I'll carry you out every morning until death do us apart..

That evening I arrived home, flowers in my hands, a smile on my face, I run up stairs, only to find my wife in the bed - dead..




photo credit: Marriage by ~DivineTorments

Donations and the Philippine Governement

A repost from blog ni ella:

Dear friends,

I’m asking your help to spread the word. Tulungan po ninyo akong ikalat ito. Beyond this, we should also demand action. I disabled a plugin so you can copy the photos of relief goods rotting in DSWD warehouses. You can link this post to your blogs, facebook, websites etc. You can also email the photos.

Philippine News (US based Philippine newspaper) will use this as its front page story this week. Every Filipino has the right to know where the tons of donations from the UN and other counties go. Kahit po nakakahiya sa mga nag-donate. Kung sa ganitong paraan, matutulungan natin ang mga nasalanta, then by all means, let’s do it.

For those who have the time, please try to volunteer sa DSWD warehouses. Getting in was not easy. A friend had to put in a word for us. Let’s see kung madali nang makapasok sa DSWD warehouse ang mga volunteers.

Please read on and good luck to us.

Ella

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(This post was last edited Oct 22, 12:30 pm)

Kahapon, tinanong ng Philippine News si DSWD Secretary Esperanza Cabral:

Editor of Philippine News: Why are the relief goods in DSWD warehouses not moving?

DSWD Secretary Esperanza Cabral: Wala kasing volunteers.

This short interview was done over the phone. Philippine News wanted to hear her side pero ayaw niyang makipag-usap sa press. After four tries, pinasabi na lang niya ang maikling sagot na ito sa secretary niya - “Walang volunteers”.

I don’t want to accuse her of corruption but at the very least she is showing signs of being totally incompetent. We are in a state of calamity where every second counts. May namamatay araw-araw dahil sa sakit.

In my opinion, these deaths could have been prevented if Secretary Cabral had tried a little harder to do her job.

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Deaths from Philippine storms nears 1,000

“Tropical Storm Ketsana left 420 dead and 37 missing when it flooded 80 percent of Manila on September 26, a disaster the government said affected 4.35 million people.

Some areas are still flooded three weeks later and 189,000 people remain in evacuation centres,

Typhoon Parma hit the northern Philippines on October 3 and lingered as a tropical storm for a week, triggering landslides that killed 438 people and leaving 51 missing mostly in mountain communities.

The government agency said Parma affected 4.16 million people, including more than 32,000 who remain at evacuation centres.”

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During the first week after the storm, lumabas ang “bayanihan spirit” ng mga Pinoy. “Makatulong lang kahi’t konti,” katwiran nila.

kung walang volunteers, ano ‘to, komiks?

From Stella Arnaldo’s blog:

“At the offices of many civic groups and private organizations, hundreds of people showed up to volunteer in packing relief goods.

At the Tulong Bayan center at the Expo Centro in Cubao, Most of the volunteers were adolescents as young as 10 years old, along with their kuya or ate in high school and college.

They came in huge numbers, many of them barkadas, classmates or siblings, dressed just in their tees and shorts, wearing their Havaianas. All were just enthusiastic to do their share!

Photos by Leah Navarro

Even grade school kids pitched in to help!

Youth volunteers repack detergents for distribution

Making beds from carton boxes

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GMA asked world for donations

Our government begged the world for more donations. Sumagot ang buong mundo sa ating panawagan. In less than three weeks, dumaong ang mga barko, ibinaba mula sa mga cargo planes, i-diniliver ng mga trak at container vans ang sandamakmak na relief goods. Cash donations were in the millions of dollars.

But these donations must be coursed through DSWD

Nagpalabas ng directive ang pangulo. Individuals, private companies and other nations were ENCOURAGED to send their donations to DSWD. I blogged about it here and the video of her announcement here.

This PGMA directive sounded suspicious to me then. Now I know why. Here’s the story.

A group of eight people, your ate Ella included, went to one of DSWD warehouses to help in repacking relief goods. We know they need volunteers pero hindi namin akalaing WALANG TAO TALAGA SA LOOB NG WAREHOUSE!

As in sa isang humongous warehouse (1000++ sq.m) NA PUNONG-PUNO NG RELIEF GOODS HANGGANG BUBONG, ISANG DSWD employee lang at ISANG SECURITY GUARD ang tao!!

Kailangang magpa-register at i-schedule ang volunteering

1) UNICEF Registration (as a volunteer)

The warehouse can only take as much as 50 volunteers at a time or per shift. Here you will find that there is a 4-hour shift, and an option for a 6-hour shift for the volunteers to indicate their availability.

What “volunteers”? Nasaan?

Aside from the 8 of us? Nope, there was nobody there. Bakit kailangan ang scheduling? Feeling hindi ba magkamayaw at nagu-unahan ang mga volunteers?

I know somebody who wanted to volunteer many times. She was always bumped off, laging nirere-schedule kasi “there were too many volunteers” daw. At tuwing Sunday lang daw puwede. What the hell is going on here?

Nakatambak ang donations ng UNICEF sa warehouse, local and international

Mga banig na dapat ay nahihigaan ng mga nasalanta. Mga imported camp beds na hindi na yata masisilayan ng mga biktima. Mga kumot na hindi naman nakabalot sa katawan nila. At mga pagkaing hindi sumasayad sa sikmura nila.

The relief goods are not going anywhere

We arrived at about 8 am and left by midafternoon and yes, you guessed it right. Kami pa rin ang tao bukod sa isang DSWD employee sa loob ng warehouse maghapon. Walang ibang dumating.

The relief goods are not moving. By the way things look, they are not going anywhere. Hindi maglalakad mag-isa ang mga donations na ito papunta sa mga evacuation centers.

LET THE PICTURES DO THE TALKING

Note: Pinagbawalan kaming kumuha ng pictures sa loob ng warehouse. I wonder why.

“Not a creature was moving, not even a mouse.”

Parang haunted warehouse ang dating. May multo na yata.

Kahit na daig pa ang tindahan sa Divisoria sa dami ng naka-stack na kaldero

At walang katapusang kaldero pa ulit

Kahit halos natakpan na ang mga bintana sa dami ng mga kahon

Kahit umabot na hanggang kisame ang stack ng mga kahon

(Close up ng Coleman camp beds sa previous photo) Hindi ito kasama sa ni-repack naming goods. Para sa mga “special victims” kaya ito? Ire-repack kaya ang mga “imported” camp pads na ito ever?

Sabagay, may BANIG naman para sa “ordinary victims”. Ito ang kasama sa inimpake namin. Sayang ‘yung imported.

Ano kaya ang laman nito? Hindi rin pinabuksan. Pang-special victim din kaya ito? (teka, dito nga pala galing ‘yung mga kumot)

Mahiwagang mga kahon from Japan Aid.

(close up ng mahiwagang kahon) Hindi rin ito kasali, of course. Hindi namin alam kung ano ang laman nito. “Imported” are not included, we have concluded.

Marami ito, mga laruang kasinlaki ng tao. Hindi nakunan ng pic kasi nasa tabi ng sikyo.

PORK AND BEANS? Yup, you’d think kasama ito sa relief bag. Pork and beans lang ‘to, puwede na sigurong ipamigay,

Naaah! “Imported” pork and beans from Spain po ito. Sorry, hindi pa rin included

Now let’s take a look at what a victim will get from DSWD

Look Ma, sampung lata ng sardinas! How generous! Kaldero ang unang ilalagay sa sako. Sabong panglaba (bar soap) at sampung sardinas sa ilalim. Siyam na sabon sa gilid ng kaldero. Local goods lahat syempre.

Tapos papatungan ng isang tuwalya at isang pack ng sanitary napkin.

Sisiksikan ng tatlong rolyo ng kumot(?) ang blue water jug tapos ipapatong sa kaldero sa loob ng sako.

Last but not the least, lalagyan ng dalawang banig.

Sabay tatahiin na ang sako. O di ba, parang asong tinapunan ng buto ang mga nasalanta? Eniwey, busog naman sila sa SAMPUNG lata ng Mega sardinas

Do not delay!

YOU THINK?? WTF is the matter with these people? Mag-iisang buwan na mula nang masalanta ang mga kababayan natin. ISANG BUWAN!! Do you mean “do not delay ang dati nang delayed”?? Shet.

Anong ginagawa ng mga donations na ito sa warehouse?? APAT na warehouse ang nasa loob ng compound na ‘yon! APAT na warehouse na punong-puno ng inaalikabok na relief goods! Relief goods na ayaw yata ibigay sa mga nasalanta. Halatang-halata.


Marami pang pabubulukin

Wow! May bagong shipment na naman! At the rate DSWD is moving, next year na madi-discover kung ano ang laman ng mga kahong ito.

“The first of two of the largest high-energy food shipments from the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) arrived in the country two days ago for victims of storm “Ondoy” and typhoon “Pepeng.” The biscuits were fortified with essential vitamins and minerals for supplementary feeding to children, pregnant women and the elderly in evacuation camps. Another 100 tons of biscuits will arrive on Oct. 24, in a continuing effort to provide food assistance to flood victims.

Sige, ideretso ‘nyo ulit ‘yan sa DSWD warehouse. Para AMAG naman ang abutin ng biskwit… at sapot ng gagamba.


Conclusion

Sa maghapon namin sa warehouse,nakagawa kami ng 150 sacks of relief goods. 150 bags of relief goods lang ang lumabas sa warehouse na ‘yon that day. At nandoon pa rin sa loob ang mga imported relief goods, safe, sound and packed as the day they arrived.

Nakisakay kami palabas sa isang DSWD delivery van. Gusto sana kaming ihatid ng driver hanggang Makati pero wala raw siyang sobrang gasolina. Ibinaba na lang niya kami sa gitna ng EDSA. Millions of dollars in donations, walang extrang pang-gasolina.

Susulpot din siguro ang laman ng mga mahiwagang kahon at mapapasakamay din ng mga tao…sa ARAW NG ELEKSYON. O mabibili na nila ang mga imported goods na ‘yon sa mga puwesto sa Quiapo at Divisoria.


Suggestions lang po sa DSWD:
# Alam ‘nyo palang walang mag-volunteer sa inyo, bakit hindi kayo mag-hire ng mga tao? Bayaran ‘nyo ng arawan para mag-repack. Ang daming walang trabaho, makakatulong pa kayo. Hindi naman malaking kabawasan ‘yon sa bilyong pisong donasyon na natanggap ninyo.
# Isa pa, gaano ba karami ang mga sundalo natin? Hindi ba puwedeng ipagawa sa kanila ‘yan? Baka isang araw lang, tapos na ang problema ‘nyo
# Bakit hindi ‘nyo ibigay ang trabaho sa mga NGO, churches, private charities, TV stations? I’m sure they are more than willing to help. Time is of the essence. Huwag kayong suwapang. Obvious ba, hindi ‘nyo naman kaya.

Kung talagang gugustuhin ninyong makarating agad sa mga kawawang biktima ang mga donasyong ‘yon, nagawa ‘nyo na ‘yan. Maraming paraan…kung talagang gusto ‘nyo lang.

You are the government. You have the power, the resources and the money. You just have to really care.


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So much for the "Where I'm from, everyone's a hero" tag line. Everyone? Hmmm, not quite.

Hiatus is over

I've been on hiatus from blogging lately because I didn't know what to write about. Well, a lot has been going on with my life however, I really didn't know how to post every event without missing any detail.

For now though, just a heads up on what's important:

- My school sucks because new graduates, like me, don't have our diplomas yet. So tell me, how are we to land a job without our diploma?

- I'm officially going to Dubai for a vacation next month, November 15. I'm feeling a bit nervous already and excited, of course. Details later.

- I have received word from Mercy Community Hospital, the only hospital in our city where I submitted my CV, saying that I am to appear for an examination. I'm short-listed as a possible trainee. Good news, indeed.

That's all.

I am worth A LOT.

In a brief conversation, a man asked a woman he was pursuing the question “What kind of man are you looking for?” She sat quietly for a moment before looking him in the eye and asking, “Do you really want to know?” Reluctantly, he said, “Yes.”

She began to expound… “As a woman in this day and age, I am in a position to ask a man what he can do for me that I can’t do for myself. I pay my own bills. I take care of my household without the help of any man…or woman for that matter. I am in the position to ask, ‘What can you bring to the table?’”

The man looked at her. Clearly he thought that she was referring to money.

She quickly corrected his thought and stated, “I am not referring to money, I need something more. I need a man who is striving for perfection in every aspect of life.”

He sat back in his chair, folded his arms, and asked her to explain.

She said, “I am looking for someone who is striving for perfection mentally because I need conversation and mental stimulation. I don’t need a simple-minded man. I am looking for someone who is striving for perfection spiritually because I don’t need to be unequally yoked… believers mixed with unbelievers is a recipe for disaster.

I need a man who is striving for perfection financially because I don’t need a financial burden. I am looking for someone who is sensitive enough to understand what I go through as a woman, but strong enough to keep me grounded. I am looking for someone who I can respect In order to be submissive, I must respect him. I cannot be submissive to a man who isn’t taking care of his business. I have no problem being submissive…he just has to be worthy. God made woman to be a helpmate for man. I can’t help a man if he can’t help himself.”

When she finished her spill, she looked at him. He sat there with a puzzled look on his face. He said, ‘You are asking a lot.

She replied, “I’m worth a lot.”

Love Looks Good.

People keep telling me that I fall in love too easily.
That I should protect my heart, that I shouldn’t wear my heart on my sleeve.
I fall in love at least 20 times a day.
I fall in love with the sky and the sun and the flowers and my children.
I fall in love with smiles, with music on the radio and with french fries and Dr. Pepper.
I fall in love with the sound of laughter, blue jeans, accents.
Sometimes I fall in love with complete strangers, especially the ones holding hands & kissing in public.
The ones who aren’t afraid to be in love with the idea of being in love either.
I don’t mind the pain of unrequited love so much, because I think they’re wrong.
Love looks good on me.



- I didn't write this though but I identify with it. ♥

30 Things Every Woman Should Have and Should Know By The Time She's 30

Originally written for Glamour magazine back in 2007, this article became a popular mail chain letter and was given the title, "Maya Angelou's Best Poem Ever."


By 30, you should have:

1. One old boyfriend you can imagine going back to and one who reminds you of how far you’ve come.

2. A decent piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in your family.

3. Something perfect to wear if the employer or man of your dreams wants to see you in an hour.

4. A purse, a suitcase and an umbrella you’re not ashamed to be seen carrying.

5. A youth you’re content to move beyond.

6. A past juicy enough that you’re looking forward to retelling it in your old age.

7. The realization that you are actually going to have an old age—and some money set aside to help fund it.

8. An e-mail address, a voice mailbox and a bank account—all of which nobody has access to but you.

9. A résumé that is not even the slightest bit padded.

10. One friend who always makes you laugh and one who lets you cry.

11. A set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill and a black lace bra.

12. Something ridiculously expensive that you bought for yourself, just because you deserve it.

13. The belief that you deserve it.

14. A skin-care regimen, an exercise routine and a plan for dealing with those few other facets of life that don’t get better after 30.

15. A solid start on a satisfying career, a satisfying relationship and all those other facets of life that do get better.


By 30, you should know:

1. How to fall in love without losing yourself.

2. How you feel about having kids.

3. How to quit a job, break up with a man and confront a friend without ruining the friendship.

4. When to try harder and when to walk away.

5. How to kiss in a way that communicates perfectly what you would and wouldn’t like to happen next.

6. The names of: the secretary of state, your great-grandmother and the best tailor in town.

7. How to live alone, even if you don’t like to.

8. How to take control of your own birthday.

9. That you can’t change the length of your calves, the width of your hips or the nature of your parents.

10. That your childhood may not have been perfect, but it’s over.

11. What you would and wouldn’t do for money or love.

12. That nobody gets away with smoking, drinking, doing drugs or not flossing for very long.

13. Who you can trust, who you can’t and why you shouldn’t take it personally.

14. Not to apologize for something that isn’t your fault.

15. Why they say life begins at 30.

On job hunting

September 2.
I turned a year older and am now officially an adult. Being 21 has its perks and some disadvantages, too. For perks: I get to go to trips, slumber parties, night outs and other gigs without having to beg my father for his permission. I get to decide on how I want to go about some events or certain things on my own. But after only a few days of being 21, I realized that I've got a lot on my shoulders now. For starters, my father is already nagging me to look for a job and start earning my own money. Being 21, means that I'm only 9 years away from being 30 and that I have to be serious, start thinking more about how my future is going to be and if I want to start my own family in the next few years. Being 21 means 21 times more responsibilities. Period.

September 3.
I became an officially registered nurse after taking oath as a professional nurse. A member of the Board of Nursing said in her speech that becoming a nurse was just a start and that we need to excel in whatever it is that we are put in, as for my case, strive to become the best nurse that I can be.

Today.
Submitted my first ever professional resume to Mercy Community Hospital, the very hospital that my brother works in. I never really liked the idea of working in the same hospital where my brother is working but with the current oversupply of nurses in the Philippines and hospitals on freeze hiring, it leaves a new nurse like me with not enough option but to just grab whatever opportunity comes my way. As they say, beggars can't be choosers.

Someday...

But yes, I wish that someday I would be thin! Not thin like sickly thin, I guess slender is the right word.





I'm going to wear these kind of outfits! Just my wishful thinking. :)

Gorgeous! (via studdedhearts)

This video almost made me cry

Almost. Because I was watching this with my mom and I didn't want to cry or should I say I never want to cry when I am with her. But, yes, this video hit me right on.

My TAHO fix!

Since grade school, I have always loved eating Taho. Everyday, I’d wake up a little early and listen for Manong Taho’s (the taho vendor) rhythmic shouts of “Tahoo, Tahooooo!” Basically, having a cup of taho in the morning became a part of my daily routine until I reached high school. I started missing my taho during high school because classes started earlier already and I had to take two jeepney rides to get to school as compared to my grade school where it was just a hiking distance from our place. As the years passed, the number of “suki” (regular customers) of Manong Taho dwindled and eventually, I never heard his regular chants at all. Not until today.

I’ve been longing to have a cup of taho for a few days now. I guess it’s due to the fact that I’ve been at home for more than a month now with nothing to do really except to think about food 24/7. Haha! Also, I know Manong Taho is still out there, maybe on another street but definitely still near our place because I keep hearing chants of “Tahoo, Tahoooo!” So in order to satisfy my craving, I promised myself that I’m going to have my taho-fix today. And look what I had just a while ago…

My first taho in years!


Taho when mixed

Taho, by the way is a well-known and well-loved Filipino snack made from fresh tofu processed to until its consistency becomes like that of a custard. Traditionally, taho is sold by vendors who walk the streets or neighborhoods in the country, carrying two aluminum cans; one for the taho and the other for the toppings: the “arnibal” (caramelized brown sugar) plus the little “sago” (tapioca pearls). However, stalls and even stores that serve tofu have now been selling a variety of toppings for taho like fresh fruits and flavored gelatins. As for me, nothing beats my Manong Taho’s version of taho.


The Taho (Soybean Custard)


"Sago" (Tapioca Pearls) and "Arnibal" (Caramelized Brown Sugar

What "King of the Road" means here in the Philippines

In the US, fire trucks are looked upon as the King of the Road. Next in line are the police cars and paramedics, all using sirens for a cause. On this side of the world, whoever has a position in a public office or a connection to a government official can use a siren and act as if he/she owns the road. Whether it's a real emergency case or just because madame mayor is already late to wherever it is that she's going, sirens are used with such liberty that most, if not all, ordinary drivers won't feel any urgency to give way upon hearing it anymore.

Here's a documentary that sums how sirens ("WANG WANGs") are used in the Philippines.





A harsh reality. Welcome to the Philippines!

Repost: Basement Salon Sucks

BASEMENT SALON SUCKS
Today at 1:42am

Hello all,

Last JUNE 3, 2009 we went to Basement Salon ROCKWELL branch to get Garovs' hair dyed as a birthday gift to herself, it was P2750 ata, a bit pricey diba for short hair, we normally spend like P200 bucks for cheap hairdye that damages the hair. We thought of getting it done PROFESSIONALLY para healthy pa din ang hair after. We asked first if they can do ash blonde (almost greyish) WITHOUT using bleach:

3:30 pm
- we asked the receptionist if they can color Garovs' BLACK hair without using BLEACH
- they called one of the Senior Stylists: _____________
-SENIOR HAIRSTYLIST: "yes kaya naman po, pero matagal mga 2-3 hours"

Garovs : gagamit ba ng bleach? kasi pinagrow ko na yung virgin hair ko and i don't want it bleached anymore kasi super damaged na ng hair ko before, and i want to maintain its healthy shine now.

Hairstylist: ay hindi na po mag b-bleach, basta matagal lang siya mga 2-3 hours, or 4hours, basta kaya nyo mag antay.

Garovs and Me: OK GAME! (excited because possible pala without bleach! yahoo)

*** We went to the ATM to get cash***


BEFORE PHOTO

4:00 pm (went back)

Garovs: hi promise ha, hindi gagamit ng bleach? takot nako sa bleach eh (LOL)
Hairstylist: opo, basta tatagal lang..
Garovs: ok sige sure! i dont care, kahit 10hours basta maachieve

(They started coloring her hair... then about 30-45mins after, HAIRSTYLIST peeked into Garovs' aluminum-foiled head, and i noticed he looked a bit concerned, pero nag smile pa din siya para hindi kami ipanervous siguro. he left, and came back with the bowl of hair dye and started brushing more color on parts of her hair. after a few minutes, shampoo time.. ayun, dirty brown/orange/blonde.)

HAIRSTYLIST: isa pang dye ha, hindi kasi kumapit eh.

garovs: ok sige (she was still happy, and i didn't care kung matagal, kasi we trusted him, and basement salon yun diba known for their hair coloring)

(5:30 to 6pm HAIRSTYLIST peeked into the foil, again, ayun. THE LOOK OF WORRY nanaman, biglang nagtransform into the look of frustration, and he said to garovs: "shampoo ulit, baka ilang try tayo ha"

garovs: OK, basta wag mo bleach ha, promise!

(she was smiling pa, having the time of her life reading gossip magazines and drinking iced tea, snoozing, massage while shampoo etc. pero ako i was getting worried na. so garovs got back to the chair,HAIRSTYLIST started brushing dye onto her hair ulit, garovs was on the phone then, HAIRSTYLIST looked like he was in a hurry to get the dye on her hair, and i could see garovs head bouncing as he POUNDED on the dye.)

**after the phone call...
garovs: haha parang pareho ang smell ng hair dye sa bleach noh?
HAIRSTYLIST: .............. (tuloy tuloy pa din nagmamadali)
garovs: parang ganito din smell ng bleach eh, diba? tsaka medyo stingy to ah :-)
HAIRSTYLIST: ay, linagyan ko na siya ng bleach. ayaw na tumalab ng hair dye eh.
garovs: HUWAAAAT!!! uyyy pwede ba alisin natin, ayoko talaga ng bleeeach, di ko kaya buhayin ulit hair ko! (worried na, medyo naiiyak)
HAIRSTYLIST: ah! baka kasi cheap mga bleach na linalalagay mo, eto kasi imported. HEALTHY PA DIN HAIR MO AFTER :-)
garovs: huuuhh??? sure ka ha?! ok.

(after few minutes, shampoo again)

and voila.


WOW ano to?!

Sana nag Hydrogen Peroxyde nalang tayo haha

Garovs: huuuuyy HAIRSTYLIST ganito na ba talaga? kasi hair dye tapos bleach? hindi na mag wowork yan. lagi ako naghahair dye ah, almost 7years na ako nag hahair dye and bleach.
Hairstylist: Opo, may lalagay pa tayong isa, hindi pa tapos.
Garovs: Ok.
(every few minutes garovs would BEG HAIRSTYLIST na kung pwede mag STOP na, kasi masakit na scalp nya because of the bleach. so HAIRSTYLIST told his assistant to give garovs a fan para itapat head nya dun to lessen the pain. this is after 2shampoos already so her scalp must have been raw and dry na. ouch! shampoo na again...)

garovs: bleach pa din ba linalagay mo? sobrang sakit na talaga. pwede bang ibang day nalang ako bumalik? di ko na kaya. as in parang may sumasabunot sa aken. super sakit na.
HAIRSTYLIST: oo. di kasi tumatalab sa hair mo eh. nagshampoo ka ba sa bahay mo?
garovs: oo
HAIRSTYLIST (with the look of relief and disappointment) AY KAYA PALA! eh kasi po nag shampoo kayo bago pumunta dito eh.. kaya mahapdi/masakit! DAPAT HINDI KA NAGSHAMPOO BAGO MAG PA DYE

garovs: huhhh?!?!? eh hindi ka naman nagtanong! sana tinanong mo ako, (super sad and almost crying na) sana nag tanong ka muna. and ang usapan natin walang bleach. sabi mo walang bleach. sabi mo dye lang! kasi diba ilang beses ko inulit na kakagrow ko lang ng buhok ko para maging healthy ulit, and lagi ako nagcocolor, kaya nga ako andito kasi gusto ko ng hair color na hindi naka bleach. diba?

HAIRSTYLIST: ...ok na yan mabilis nalang to.

garovs: (looking like maiiyak na.)

***EH di sana pala from the start sinabi na niya na... "maam, nag shampoo kayo? kasi sasakit mamaya pag nag haircolor kayo.."***
BUT NO, hindi niya in-ask yun. KASALANAN PA NAMIN. WOW.

AND HE APPLIED THE BLEACH WITHOUT EVEN INFORMING US!!!! sobrang sneaky! habang nasa phone pa si garovs kaya hindi siya nakacomplain again. wow sneaky!
WTF! (ok i didn't tell him that, sa isip ko lang haha)

after 30 mins (again) so LAST SHAMPOO. AND VOILA:


so ito nayun?!

*GAME SHOW BUZZER* di padin eh!
WTF! ANO YAN?! ANONG COLOR YAN? ash blonde bayan?

Garovs: OMGGGGGGG!!!! PLATINUM BLONDE!!! ayoko to. brown lang hinihingi ko. ayoko maging blonde. nagawa ko na to. brown lang hiningi ko. OMG. sana sinabi mo hindi mo kaya.
OMG. sana umamin ka nalang from the start. and i said ayoko ng bleach. blineach mo. this is BLONDE. SUUUUPER BLONDE. OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HAIRSTYLIST: Eh diba kasi sabi hindi niyo na kaya, isa pa sanang hair color, eh nasasaktan na kayo eh, balik nalang kayo after 3 days pahinga niyo muna buhok niyo!

Garovs to Ryan: ha? lalabas ako ng ganito.. (mainit na ulo, and scalp haha)

Ryan to hairstylist: Kala koba walang bleach? eh may bleach naman ata yan eh. So may bayad ba pag bumalik kami after 3 days?

Hairsylist: Wala ng bayad pag balik niyo,

Ryan to Hairstylist: Eh kasi sabi mo kanina nung tinatanong ka namin kung kaya mo'ng mag ash blonde WITHOUT bleach, sabi mo OO pero tatagal lang ng 2-4 hours.

Hairstylist: (looking K.I.A.) Nako matagal yun talaga pag ash blonde, mga dapat dalawang balik kayo sa salon bago niyo ma-achieve yung ash blonde! kasi dapat ibleach talaga!

garovs: (very sadly and almost about to cry)ang tigas tigas na ulit ng buhok ko. sabi mo walang bleach. sana nagtanong ka muna promise. diba sinabi ko ilang beses na wag ibleach. sa start palang ilang beses ko pinaalala, kasi ayoko na talaga mag bleach ng hair..

hairstylist: bagay naman sayo o!

Garovs to Ryan: Ok lang ba buhok ko? hindi ba panget? yung totoo. p****na mas ok pala kung ako nalang nagkulay ng sarili ko., OMGEEE NAMAN BLONDE NANAMAN. ang itim ko pa naman ngayon!!! YUCK MUKA AKONG GAGO. yung totoo ryan!

Ryan: Hmm ok lang naman, babalik naman tayo eh..

Hairstylist to assistant: wash mo na and blower mo nayan

**after blower, hairstylist went back kasi nag co-color din siya sa isa pang customer**

Hairtylist: WOW maganda naman ah, bagay pala sayo.. (shit, sino niloko mo?!)

Garovs: **S A D** AND TIRED AND ACHING SCALP

Ryan: Ok lets go na.. bayad na tayo..

7:30-8:00pm (closing time)

Cashier to Garovs: Hi maam, how was your hair? (smiling)

Garovs: umm miss, kasi...

THEN GAROVS STARTED CRYING in front of the cashier/ receptionist. as in SUPER CRY. as in nakakaawa na cry. :-(((

Garovs: HUHUHUHUHUHUUUUU sabi ng hairstylist, huhuhuhu, hindi niya lalagayn ng bleach huhuhuhuhuuu pero nilagayn niya huhuhuhuhuuhuuuu

Cashier: im so sorry! sir ano po nangyari?

so i explained to her, while also trying to calm down garovs.

the receptionist talked with the hairstylist behind the door

(hairstylist came out almost shouting sa reception area, without even looking at us)
Hairtylist: EH KASI NAMAN NAG SHAMPOO SIYA EH at HINDI TALAGA MA AA-CHIEVE AGAD YUNG HAIR COLOR NAYAN. DAPAT BABALIK PA SIYA (in super galit na tone na parang bata na na nagdinedefriend ng kalaro! weirdo!)

Garovs: (while crying and being just sad and still nice about the issue) eh sabi mo kaya mo, HUHUHUHUHU, miss o ako pa sinisisi huhuhuhuhuh sabi mo kaya mo na walang bleach ,huhuhuhuhu, and 2-3 hours lang huhuhu aantayin namin to achieve the color huhuhuhuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu

Receptionist: (Shocked)
Hairtylist to Cashier: OK SIGE WAG MO NA PAG BAYARIN. WAG NA. aken na yan, VOID!

Ryan to Hairstylist: umm, excuse me, YOU KNOW ITS NOT ABOUT THE MONEY! SABI MO KAYA MO, NGAYUN KAMI SINISISI MO! pano siya lalabas ng ganyan?!

** while I'm saying that statement, NAG WALK OUT YUNG HAIRTYLIST NAYUN **

Ryan to receptionist: ANG BASTOS NG HAIRSTYLIST NIYO AH! CAN I GET THE OWNERS NUMBER? TATAWAGAN KO NGAYUN DIN.

receptionist to Ryan: I'm really sorry po, can i get your number nalang po? I'll tell the owner to call you tom ASAP.

***and then some nice stylist in the cashier area asked Garovs what happened.. and Garovs explained all to him (that nice guy was FREDDIE SCHAFER)**

Freddie Schafer fixed the color of Garovs' hair and started telling us the problem with pinoy salons. that most stylists, instead of saying 'no' to clients they just keep accepting for the money. and some are just too proud to ask other stylists for help when they don't know what to do.

Freddie managed to fix Garovs' hair in less than 30 mins (not ASH BLONDE but much better than blonde WITH BLEACH) and explained to us things about hair coloring, etc. HE IS SO NICE!

So we went to the cashier to pay and of course walang bayad (we gave the shampoo guy and FREDDIE tips) and got his business card. Garovs started smiling again :-)


Friendly hairstylist's business card :)

7 of my friends didn't bother to go back there because of my story. Parang gift nalang nila kay Garovs yun. and we didn't bother calling the owner anymore, kasi we were just so horrified and saddened by what happened, KARMA nalang ang bahala kay HAIRSTYLIST who wasn't professional about the situation. and we were being nice to him the whole time, maintained low pitched voices. never got mad at him except for the last part. you could just see the sadness and the pain in garovs' face, dun ata siya nadala.

Hindi kami sikat pero ^%*(^&)(&)* naman bigyan naman nila kami respeto, nag babayad kami!

PLEASE REPOST, PLEASE!

Ryan Vergara
Photographer/Graphic Designer

Garovs Garrovillo
Fashion Stylist / Art Director

Everywhere We Shoot
Photography+Graphic Design+Styling
http://everywhereweshoot.com

only Him

Yes, not even Eric Bana.

from makeasubtlestatement

WEIRD!

Remember when we would play the revised “Ro-Cham-Beau,” we would rock our hands three times, then proceed to throw in our left hand to make a cross, followed by our emphatic one syllable statement of, “God.” — No one could say anything because they knew God will always win.

I guess someone wanted to illustrate that Spiderman, James “Logan” Howlett or even Eric Bana could not over power Him.

Clincher.

Paula Abdul out, Victoria Beckham in!

All the more reason not to miss an Idol episode. Victoria Beckham is gorgeous, witty, funny, sexy, and a Spice Girl!

Whether this is true or not, just the idea of having Posh in American Idol makes me all giddy like a school girl!



Source: Check out Bryanboy.com - Victoria Beckham for American Idol?

Almost But Not Quite.

I went to PRC (Professional Regulation Commission) today to register as a new nurse. Originally, I planned to go there this Friday so that I could watch the Time Traveler's Wife during its opening on the big screen, hitting two birds with one stone. However, due to lacking information and sensationalized hearsay that today, Monday, will be the last day for registration, I went there. I don't want to recall how gruesome my day was but I'm not tired enough to say that I got an 83% average passing rate! That's like 1.6% difference with whoever is on the Top 10th on the list!

Almost making it to the "list" again! Is this all I'm capable of? Almost making it but always coming up short?

-In high school, I was top of the class during graduation for my curriculum (Applied Science) but was not awarded as Valedictorian since I got a grade that was below 80 during my junior year for one subject!

-I was 0.02 short to graduate as cum laude in college!

-Now, 1.6% to make it to the top 10 Board Exam Passers!

Have to do better! Better-er!

Advertise Your Self

Found this site just now where it creates a slogan based from any keyword you give.

My slogan: The Best Part of Waking Up is Karen in Your Cup!

Haha!

Whatever You're Into, Get Into Karen.

Enter a word for your own slogan:

Generated by the Advertising Slogan Generator. Get more karen slogans.

Facebook was attacked?

Yahoo news posted an article that famous social networking sites, Facebook and Twitter, were attacked by hackers last Thursday. I guess that explains why Facebook was annoyingly slow that day. As for Twitter, my account is on the verge of dying so the supposed attacks did not affect me at all.

Want to read more? click: Hacker attacks silence Twitter, slows Facebook.

Note to Self

Welcome to the blogging world Karen!

Being the introvert that you are, I wish that you will find blogging here in blogger as liberating as you did while you were on livejournal. Continue to write what you love to write about as we are living in a free country after all. Never worry about the comments that you are so afraid of, you can always click that DELETE button and not be penalized for it. Lastly, I urge you to always update this new blog of yours and refrain from making up reasons as to why you're on hiatus most of the time.

xoxo
Your alter


Haha! Shoot me!