Ultimate pet peeve

I knew something was wrong when my PC acted up a few days ago. I was still in the process of saving some of my files when it suddenly went 'blue screen' on me. I was still nursing a terrible cough so I let it slide. Actually I was surprised at how calm and collected I was unlike in previous cases I would succumb to a state of panic, rage and deep depression, all at once. I guess I am getting wiser in my 'old age'. Teehee!

Besides all my back up/recovery CDs were still stacked in some dust filled box at the condo so I was basically powerless to act on the problem. So after I watched "Julie and Julia" at the cinema (for some much needed distraction) I dropped by the condo to get the necessary 'tools' for the gargantuan task - reformat my PC.

Anyone familiar with this tedious task knows that it takes a lot of effort. You set up your OS, upgrade all the drivers, update the programs, upload all the softwares etc! As if that isn't headache inducing enough, try doing all that on a dial up connection and I'm sure you will understand my frustration.

On the positive side, while I'm waiting for the downloads to finish, I multitask. I pluck my bushy eyebrows, I cook meals, I fold laundry ... you know boring household chores. But I do rush up every now and then to check the downloads because they have a frustrating tendency to be cut off due to the lousy connection.

Another positive note is that I am mighty proud that I was able to format my PC by my lonesome self. It saves us the cost of hiring a technician! So I guess I should just stop complaining and 'enjoy' the task at hand, one slow download at a time.

Good food, freebies and everything else in between!

That basically summarizes how I spent the day I turned 41 years young. :D While waiting for a taxi, P (one of D's kabarkada) passed by in his CRV so we managed to hitch a free ride all the way to Greenbelt. Luckily that was P's destination as well. After hearing the 12:15pm Mass at the chapel we munched on pasta, salad and pannacota (I've been craving for this dessert for the longest time) at Italiannis!







Then we watched "My Life in Ruins" free of charge thanks to the Citibank reel promo. Every time you charge your Citibank credit card for P1,500 and above, you can redeem one free movie ticket. The promo was extended till Jan. 2010. So voila I was able to snag 2 movie tickets for free. The romantic comedy with Nia Vardalos was fun to watch and it made me want to return to Greece and re-explore its historical sights with D by my side!

Then we had snack at Via Mare where we feasted on our usual fare - the bibingka with red egg and palitaw ... yummy!





So despite the nasty cough, I was (and still am) giddy with delight at the number of friends who remembered my special day which I spent with my beloved parents and my loving hubby. I am humbled and truly grateful for the numerous blessings that continue to come my way. Many thanks! =)

It's my Day!

I was going to compose an entry about turning 41 and get all contemplative but a terrible cough has wiped out my brain cells so no can do.
Despite the threat of a super typhoon and a terrible cough I am still determined to enjoy my 41th birthday the best way I can. Let's see how the day unfolds!

Grief

Yesterday a Facebook message from the US brought really sad news. We were told my father-in-law passed away peacefully on October 12, 2009. He was 95 years old.

D was home to hear the sad news. I immediately broke down in tears while reading the message. Totally inconsolable even though I admit I have never met Papa Wel in person. But from the numerous stories that D narrates about his father, I'm certain he was a good human being. I could also tell from the numerous birthday and Christmas cards he mailed D throughout the years that he was a caring person.

Throughout the day, I kept receiving text messages from my mother and my sister who would ask me "how is D taking it?" I told her to my surprise, D seems rather calm to the point of being stoic while I was an emotional wreck. My mother said he might be hiding his emotions to put on an appearance of strength amidst sadness. This made me realize that we all grieve differently.

Please pray for his eternal repose. RIP, Papa Wel.

A double surprise

Last Tuesday night (Sept. 29, 2009) I was watching TV downstairs when my cellphone rang. It was my mother. My heart actually skipped a beat! Why would my mother call at such a late hour?

Well she had happy news.

My sister was coming home for a short visit before she heads to Bangkok for a business trip. I was ecstatic. The best thing is she would be celebrating her birthday here with us. Actually she wanted to surprise us and just show up at the condo but she no longer had the keys to enter the place if no one was home.

The ironic thing is that we had sent a balikbayan box of birthday goodies to my sister via fedex with instructions for it to be delivered to her flat on October 2nd, her birthday! It turns out my sister won't be home to receive it. So she was surprised as well.

Anyways she was here for merely 4 whirlwind days filled with shopping sprees and loads of sister bonding time and before we knew it ... it was time to send her off at the airport with hugs and kisses!


When I got back here at the condo (I'm currently here for this entire week during the duration of the Spanish Film Festival at Greenbelt 3 cinemas) I immediately felt her absence and sadly realized how much I really really really miss having my sister around to hang out with. But I'm reassured with the thought that in two months time we will be spending the Yuletide holidays in Singapore with her!

I wish it was December NOW NA!