Saturday, February 12, 2011

Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head

I was surfing channels and heard Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head while Peter Parker (of Spiderman 2) was on his way to school and stumbled.

I can't say if hearing the song was so timely, but it really sparked my mood.

Raindrops keep fallin' on my head
But that doesn't mean my eyes will soon be turnin' red
Cryin's not for me
'Cause I'm never gonna stop the rain by complainin'
Because I'm free

Saturday, February 5, 2011

I didn't know I have an extra Php17,000

I noticed that I had an overpayment of AED 1,447 (or Php 17,000/USD 394) for one of my credit cards. Apparently, I paid my dues based on an (over)estimate of charges that I made to my card while I was on recent vacation in Manila. I settled my bills even before receiving the statement. This is one of the rare instances that I'm thankful about my (intelligent) stupidity. Is there such a thing, heh?!

Now, I have a reason to spend a little more. But I promised myself that I'm not splurging anything for the Dubai shopping festival. Let the credit stay there for the mean time, with no interest income though.

The bus ride

Saw this on twitter, via Oprah Quotes:

Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down. - Oprah


"Where is her panty?"

I've gifted a two-year old celebrant a chocolate cake from Mister Baker and a Barbie-counterpart doll-UAE style. I saw her eyes twinkled, shined and all that. I saw my own face ages ago when I had this fashionable doll. Then, she started exploring the anatomy of the doll. "But... where is her panty?", asked the celebrant.  Yaiks. I didn't know its lack of undergarment since it was boxed in at the store.

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Meet Veronica, Julia Roberts' chicken (pet)

On Ellen DeGeneres show, one of the surprise guests who came for her birthday was Julia Roberts. I hardly stopped laughing when Julia shared about their house "pets", i.e. horses, dogs and chicken. And one of the chicken she named Veronica.

"Chicken are very hardworking animals!", Julia exclaimed.

Gong xi fa cai and Butse Kik

Today is Chinese New Year.

According to the Chinese expert featured on tv, I’m lucky in the Year of the Metal Rabbit. Yiheeee! But even if she had declared that I’m not, I think and feel that I'll forever be lucky. Mind over matter, eh?

***

Instead of sending the Cantonese greeting of Kung Hei Fat Choi, I messaged my BBM group Gong Xi Fa Cai. Two of them replied, alternately, quoting the lyrics of a Yoyoy Villame song, Butse Kik.

Why Pandesal ni Jo?

I've been thinking for the longest time of starting a gratitude journal. But I've always deferred this "project" thinking that I can do random inventory of my happiness triggers as of a given day even without writing about it. Until the inspiration zoomed at the right place and at the right time, i.e. I was tuned in to the feeds about Chinese New Year celebration and was trying to explore blogger.com infront of the TV. Why not blog about my festive mood and infect other people with cheer and positivity?

I initially thought of Pandesal at Choc Nut as a blog title. These two munchies never fail to bridge the distance between home (Philippines) and where I am (UAE). But in general, it's more appetizing to recall our sources of cheer as we nibble comfort food, eh? I decided to finally trim it to Pandesal Ni Jo because my other blog, Witsandnuts already has the blog description: an inventory of a Choc Nut islander's interest.

There’s something about doing random inventory of things, people, situation that makes me happy. I’d always believe that things just get better, in different ways though. Just like in taking photos, there’s really no ugly subject and/or angle. It depends on how we compose our shot and how we look at things.

And so, this sort of gratitude blog was born yesterday. And here are my rules cum expectations:
  • I wish to chronicle the stuff that made my day. Aside from fresh air, nature, genuine care, laughter, things that can’t be bought, what else is there? I'm sure there's a LOT.
  • No pressure. I don’t need to write everyday, only when I feel like jotting things or when I have the means. Or even if I don’t have the luxury of time to write, but the inspiration do strike!
  • I don’t need to force myself to think of things that made me happy. If it’s indeed a 100% sad day, so be it. (Although that’s far from happening. I know myself, I’ve been to a phase when it felt like I was being cut into pieces and still I managed to smile.)
  • Zero percent negativity on my posts. Pessimist are also welcome to read my blog. Believe me, happiness is contagious!
  • It will be an enjoyable search of new reasons for cheer, the smaller, the better. 
  • I must refer to this blog, among the other things, shall my lowest low will come (knock on wood!), hoping that certain chapter of musings will re-amuse me.
  • That I'll be able to keep myself grounded. That's hoping to get startled by exclaiming to myself someday, “Really? Something that shallow made my day?!”
  • Look back at my random musings ANYTIME. Just because I feel glad realizing that there’s just so much to be thankful in this life!
Random stuff that made me happy today: the Lebanese shish taouk for lunch. I missed this!