Finally! It had been terribly hot in Singapore these past days. And by God’s grace, it rained today.
The good heavens showered blessings to the people on earth. While the buzz goes on water scarcity, I am empowered to contribute to earth’s call.

Like;

1. Collating a good number of soiled clothes when doing laundry, you can’t wash like 5pcs leh. Just a waste of water!!! ( hot flashes)
2. Recycle jeans or thick cardigans when its not obviously smelly anyway.
3. Be very aware of the amount of water spilled over when I wash the dishes.

The key is AWARENESS- that water is scarce.

For others, rain shoots a gloomy mood but not on me this time.

I am dancing in the RAIN!

For some developments.
It is cool to be happy. I am looking forward to something NEW.
wink wink…

NEW means…
need to jog back.
need to work on my waking up time- why is it sooo hard to wake up in the morning.
need to do crunches to get rid of this bulging horrible tummy

Last night, we were viewing our Sydney vids and we laughed over it—especially the part where Chy acted like a dance instructor to the adults to the “Nobody” dance steps. I should be posting that one day so that my friends in Aussie will have a good laugh over it.

I am smiling now. She is such a unique creature—yeah..my daughter.
She has my giggles, laughters, moods , stubbornness, —-
She got my husband’s facial features I believe so.

These few points in her speech that I really really would love to read again.
Those moms and parents never get thanked. I, in particular, failed to thank one. So… if I can take this moment to thank Helga B. for not letting me ride in cars with boys until I was 18 because she was right. I would’ve done what she said I was gonna do. For making me practice every day when I got home. Piano, ballet, whatever it is I wanted to be. She said to be an artist, you had to practice every day, and for reminding her daughters that there’s no race, no religion, no class system, no color, nothing, no sexual orientation that makes us better than anyone else. We are all deserving of love. So, to that trailblazer, who allowed me to have that.

For full recount of her speech,you can check from here ; Best Actress Sandra Bullock’s Oscar acceptance speech

Congratulations and I am putting that movie on my list - Blind Side.

I have been hibernating lately. Meaning…dormant with my thoughts and so w/ my blog. Despite the fact that there are some fruitful stuffs running through my mind, the inspiration to write hide away from me last week. Maybe because I have been terribly busy with work. All these small details are clogging .

My mediocrity worked. There are stuffs i just had to pass by esp at work- knowing that there is no point working hard on it. My mind unwinds, am not the same Karen I know. I am not too sure if I deserve to be here.

On a personal note, am happy.
That I have been into the badminton game again twice last week with new and old friends- happy people. I will have to surround myself with positive emotions to enliven me.

Alice in Wonderland in 3D is wonderful. Can’t stop get amazed to this 3D technology. We celebrated Pemz bday watching the movie, dined out @ Sakura- they have grilled seafood in there and went to church. Before this happened, I had an argument with Chuck as there is no way that we prioritize Sentosa without going to church.

Our little raw house in Cavite will get its first renovation. It is a very cute habitat and would love to make it neat although we are not living there for now. This small project will be done in a month or so, am excited to see the finished product.

In conclusion, am actually the same Karen- but I have learned to be relaxed. I am not beating up myself this time especially at work. In a contrary, I had to finish an important presentation on Sunday evening for a Monday morning meeting. There are things you can’t compromise- especially credibility.

this morning is different.

“He guides me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” (Psalm 23:3 NIV)
Mangie, I thank you for sending messages to reflect in the morning before I let myself drown over my emails.

But for today, the important thing to understand is that God does not want you confused and he does not want you stressed over making any decision. He is there, guiding you every step of the way.

Yehey!

PS.
My cuz Janice- am happy to know you will take the full time housewife role soon and can focus on the things you love doing most. Mabuhay ka day, dream career ko din yan, but it is not reachable yet. Hehehhehe.
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To all my other gfs - like any other hurdles in life, it shall pass away.
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Cheers- tara, inuman tayo!

ang dameng boss…ayaw ko naaaaaaaaaah………..
At a minimum, I need read 40 emails and send 20 emails in a day. Minimum palang yan, di pa ako quota nyan.

As a result, burned out.

I want change.

day for me.
I just want to spend the day off and make real. But I need to get into the groove today. I need my charm back.

My Tito and Tita based in US of which I was only reunited for less than an hour back in Pinas sent me this wonderful message. Can’t help but get misty-eyed….because I am obviously overjoyed.

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Hi Karen and Chuck,
Kumusta!
Upon reading your posts and messages it seems that you are undecided of where to settle down. I know this is an unsolicited advise, if you will, but after meeting your family last re-union, all grown up and raising a young family, I felt compelled to share with you a bit of what I think and feel to help you out with your decision. Maybe it’s that Magdoza blood.

I’ve never been to Australia but certainly I’ve heard a lot of good things about that country from our cousins who live there. Do you know of the Magdoza clan living in Sydney and Queensland? They are the Bothers and Sisters, Nieces and Nephews of Judge Pablo Magdoza and Fr. Kiking (children of Iyo Gorio and Nang Nene of Maribojoc).

I believe you have already done your research but then maybe not. So I am giving you a glimpse of life in Ausie through the eyes of our cuzns why they like it there. First off: Once a citizen, you can sponsor your entire family (including nieces and nephews) immigrate there or even just to visit - it’s easy to get a visa. Luz (your Tita Lurline’s classmate in Nursing school) was the first to go there by virtue of her marriage to an Ausie. She sponsored four of her bros and sis and some nieces and nephews easily. Her Pinas based families visit them often.
Second: As an Australian resident, the gov’t will help you buy your own house. There is a gov’t program where it will give you money for your downpayment.
Third: Schooling is not a problem financially through college as long as you are enrolled in a State University. And they have world renowned schools. Mark (Luz’s son) graduated from college free of tuition. In fact Luz told us that the Uni will even give the students (or some) a stipend just to stay in school. Great incentive - no school loans to pay afterwards. Luz and Wayne travel all over the world now and visit Pinas often. They were here with us recently and are planning to come back next yr.
Fourth: Socialized medicine therefore medical care is accessible to everyone. Of course you have the option to get a private insurance but why bother when it’s otherwise free?!
Fifth: If you have a knack for business - great. The gov’t will help you put up your business. Nonoy, Neneng and Dell’s families each have growing businesses.
Sixth: Australia is a beautiful country and you can attest to that having been there. My family hopes to visit there soon.

Well, there were times your Tita Lurline and I questioned the decision we made long time ago of settling in the USA. Now, there is no denying that we love America and grateful of what it afforded us to live the way we do. We do not regret it. In our time we did not have much choice - USA was IT - not Middle East, not Australia, not Canada, not Singapore or anywhere else, so it was a no-brainer decision. Technology was in its infancy then- the world was big and wide - today, it truly is a small world after all. Today in your time, you have so many choices that it can get confusing. Therefore, use technology to your advantage. All you have to do is open your eyes and mind wider to all opportunities and choices out there in the world through your fingertips - research. And, to make an informed decision based in your research the most important thing to do is FIRST IDENTIFY AND UNDERSTAND what your PRIORITIES are as a family.

We have not been to Singapore either and we do not know of anybody who live there except you. You have lived there for a while, then ask yourselves: What is there in Singapore that you love dearly that would really keep you from leaving. What is that ’something’ in Singapore that in the future you think your family can’t live without? What about Australia, will it be able to meet our needs and plans for the future? What does it offer that Sinagapore can’t for a better tomorrow for our family? In the end though, wherever you settle down, it all comes down to what is the best for your family.
Good Luck.

I hope this helps. You all take care and God bless you. Kisses to Chy.
Tito King and Tita Lurline

for cover letter samples so I could create one to send over to agents across Australia for them to find my resume attractive and professional.

Goodluck to me, can’t wait a new life out there!

I need a job in Australia. I don’t care which city it is. I just want to move there NOW with an urgent reason. At least a JOB.

SYDNEY, MELBY, BRISBANE—-Hear me!

First of all, I was questioned at Sydney’s CUSTOMS office because I was bringing along with me a box of Chy’s formula milk. The officer informed me my kid is not a little baby anymore. I told him that my daughter hasn’t tried any milk before and since we will be staying for 9 days in Sydney, I opted to bring her own brand. He was not convinced at first and later changed his mind that I could bring it along with me with the advise to declare it next time. Oh, thanks God I wasn’t fined for AUD200. I can’t reconcile from the declaration form that such item belongs to the criteria FOOD—-dried, preserved, cooked, uncooked, etc…Anyway, can’t argue with that- he is the officer , am a mere migrant of AU, yes, I can follow CLEAR rules.

Anyway, the MILK now lives in Agie and Gracy’s ref. I should better send them a note to remove it from there. We completely forgot to clear it before we left.

On another note, I warmly thank my humble and kind hearted sponsors—–Agie and Gracy for welcoming us in their home and treat us like family members.

We will back to Australia in due time—–in His time.

I owe my blog a very important entry. My Aussie trip. Ok, I need to find time for this. Perhaps, I should take a LEAVE.

LOL!

A sweet friendship refreshes the soul.” Proverbs 27:9 (MSG)

Aidah posted on her FB profile that she looks forward to have breakfast with me today to listen to my stories of Sydney. I thanked her for the favor. Seemed to me that “listening” is the hardest you can get from people nowadays.

It reminded me of some convo that I excitedly share and I was shoved away —which leads me to a very bad impression of which I am trying to get over with. I can always give people the benefit of the doubt and will have to be satisfied that Life is full of sweet surprises like what I got from Aidah this morning.

Btw—–this sort of a warning to us. We normally dry up our pants outside our flat and yesterday, it was stolen. Goodbye Dada’s Levi’s.

We were in church today for the Ash Wednesday mass which leads me to the realization that…..I must be dreaming that the 3 of us is stepping on Sydney lands.

Well, if ang aking pagiging dreamy lang ang pa iiralin, well, I could move here next month but much to my dismay, we have to cater for the practical side of life—–and that’s surviving Sydney. Well, based on experience, never pa Nya ako pinabayaan.

Payong
Raincoat
Mosquito repellant
Jacket