I Love/Hate America

LOOKING DOWN AT INTERRACIAL MARRIAGES

A few years ago, I joined this discussion forum called Girltalk, powered locally in the Philippines with Filipino web administrators. Its members are mostly Filipino women residing in the Philippines and in other nations. At first, I had fun participating in various topics of discussions such as fashion, make-up and beauty tips, movies, career talks, and so much more,until I came to a topic about "Filipina women dating /marrying foreign men." Varied responses emeerged but mostly they were negative. I couldn't believe my eyes when I read the words, " Sa totoo lang, ang tingin ko sa mga babaeng pumapatol ng mga foreigners ay desperada o mga puta sa Ermita." (In truth , my perception of women [Filipina women] dating/marrying foreigners are desperate or whores in Ermita [Manila's red light district]). Another member answered, "Mga mukhang katulong iyong mga pumapatol ng Kano (Those who marry/date American men look like maids). This respondent put it this way, " Yung mga babaeng nasa bukid at mahihirap ay yung naghahanap ng foreigner kasi akala nila makatulong ang mga lalaki nila sa kanilang kahirapan (Those women who  live in the hinterlands and are poor are those who seek foreign men because they think these men could help them get through their poverty.")

Oh my golly wow! I could not believe the audacity of these supposedly intelligent and educated Filipino women who most oftentimes brag about their sophisticated tastes in this forum board. Those answers must come either from sick minds or pea-sized brains, I bet. When I joined Girltalk I was already married to my American husband. So I wrote down what I thought and then tried to "educate" them that interracial marriages are now tolerated and are acceptable. I also tried to dissuade them from their distorted perceptions making them realize that  even modern, educated Filipino women are marrying men from other races nowadays. After I expressed my views, I was attacked by more abrasive comments and toasted like I had to burn in hell because of my opinions. I terminated my account at Girltalk.

In my tiny country, I hate to admit, that people can be still narrow-minded about interracial marriages. They cling to certain notions based on stereotyping people into classes. Filipinos seem to place certain characteristics as basis for judging people's abilities. They think that "all domestic helpers" possess certain unattractive physical features and all "construction workers" also have particular physique deserving to be looked at with derision because all "maids and carpenters" are poor, uneducated and so plebeian. They don't realize that sometimes their repressed minds that are bound by traditions can also retardate growth---even mental growth. And that is one of the thousand reasons why the Philippines can never make a significant progress.

I was once ridiculed as "mukhang katulong" (looking like a maid) which is actually translated to "ugly." (What does a maid exactly look like for heaven's sake?). Filipinos also have a certain disposition to demean others by their job positions. It's common to hear from Filipinos mouths, " I don't like him. He is just a "sikyo" (security guard)." They regard external characteristics holding value to  other people's esteems based on the work he is doing to earn a living. " Why are you attracted to that girl? She is just a saleslady. Get someone who has a nicer job." Filipinos have a hard time being open to ideas because of  long-held traditional beliefs that one's job, one's economic status and one's appearance are frameworks of success, wealth and popularity.

Never in my whole life I had imagined or dreamt of marrying an American. In fact, when I moved to the USA, I had left a boyfriend in the Philippines. With that kind of distance, the relationship did not work and he found another woman there back home. After a year, I met my husband here in the American mainland. We met up in New York's Grand Central. Eight months later, we got hitched.

One of my friends who is married to an American, had gone home together once. Her friend warned her that she would might encounter some sort of "evil stares" from our own kind.  True enough, this friend of mine, experienced that chilly effect when she felt Filipinos back home indeed tossed her some "contemptuous glares" while she was with her husband. She then told me, "You'd feel that our own people look at me like I'm a whore who was fortunate enough to marry a man." One Filipino woman living here in the U.S. is still trapped in this twisted view. I met her in a party where my hubby was also invited. She unabashedly said to me,  "The kind of beauty you have are ONLY chased by American men....you know." I know what she meant. She was trying to sugarcoat her terms that meant "ugly'---with "the kind of beauty."

SEEKING LEGAL ASSISTANCE

Some time ago, my aunt had an operation that was supposed to drain fluid from her pancreas and remove the diseased tissue from it. The surgeons made a huge mistake by removing her kidneys instead. It was a freakish nightmare for all of us and her family was so angered with the error committed by specialists they trusted. Our family members had one decision to make---seek legal advice for this almost fatal error.

INDEPENDENCE DAY: TWO CELEBRATIONS IN ONE DAY

Today is the celebration of the America's Independence Day. It also marks the Filipino-American Friendship Day. Everyone knows that July 4th is the day when the Americans had claimed their liberty and proclaimed their Declaration of Independence on the road to freedom as a sovereign nation. But not everybody knows that this is also the day when Americans granted the Filipinos independence after colonial rule of the 7,100 island-nation for almost 50 years. In July 4, 1946, the Americans unleashed their dominion of the Philippines on the same day they acquired their own liberty.

Not a lot of Americans have the knowledge that the Philippines was under the American government in the past. Well, they may have learned about their history but they don't know much about the historical details such as land and territory acquisitions of their own country. So, it comes out as a surprise when I tell them that July 4 is also a day we celebrate in our country ---sort of a commemoration of independence from the American jurisdiction when the American government accorded freedom to Filipinos.

July 4 is Filipino-American Friendship Day. In fact, it was the Filipinos' Independence Day which they observed from 1946 to 1964. But on August 1964, the Philippine government, upon the advice of historians and nationalists,  designated June 12, as their Independence Day when the Filipinos, along with the Act of the Declaration of Independence , restored their liberty and sovereignty from the colonial rule of Spain  on June 12, 1898.

So June 12 became the Filipinos' Independence day since then, and July 4, instead was changed to Filipino-American Friendship Day. For most Filipino-Americans, July 4 is a very special day---a day filled with two causes for celebration; independence and friendship. All the more, a special day that we are blessed having Americans as our allies and friends.

For Filipinos here in America, it is a dual celebration. It is a reminder that the land we're inhabiting at this moment fought hard to regain freedom and liberty so that we can enjoy living in this independent nation. And of course, a memorable event that we Filipinos have special relations with the Americans. Though the American colonial rule left some negative Western influences on Filipinos that are still persistent to these days, it's undeniable that we Filipinos had acquired its democratic principles. Critics have pointed out that the independence Americans gave to Filipinos came with strings attached ---a legislative bill passed by the U.S. Congress to insure that the Philippines remain an economic ward and to retain its military bases.  But whatever, after such uprisings against Spain  300-year regime, and  now a better appreciation of the legacy of American colonialism, the Filipinos  have a more acute sense of national identity.

Honestly, I am proud to celebrate two special occasions in one day today. American Independence Day is tremendously significant to me that as an American citizen, I am able to enjoy the privileges of what this great "free" land has to offer. And as a Filipino native, I am also proud that I have learned to love embrace my national identity  and friendship with Americans while being an "American."

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!!!

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A BEDROOM MAKE-OVER OF MY DREAMS

This summer, my husband enjoys a 70-day respite. Together, we planned a lot of activities such as going to amusement theme parks and out-of-town resorts. But aside from that, we also had planned to do some cleaning up and reorganizing our home. After the winter chill, and the rainy spring, we did not have enough time to really polish and redo our house.

NICKNAMES OF U.S. STATES AND THEIR ORIGINS

Before I post something for Independence Day, I think it would be fun to share to you, readers, the origins of the nicknames of some U.S. states. Nicknames of states are often seen in car's license plates, postcards and road signs.

I obtained this information from a compelling book called "Curiously Compelling Bathroom Reader." Mind you, but the book's pretty loaded with so many interesting stuff you can never put down.

Well then, I learned a few interesting stories behind those nicknames and here they are;

EMPIRE STATE (NEW YORK) --- New York City, was the capital of the United States from 1788 to 1790 (yeah, only for 2 years). George Washington, who was then President referred the whole state as "the seat of the Empire."

GOLDEN STATE (CALIFORNIA) ---Gold was discovered at Sutter's Mill in California in 1848. What transpired after was a "gold rush" bringing so many people to the territory within two years making California qualify for statehood.

SILVER STATE (NEVADA)---There was a massive reserve of silver called the Comstock Lode, which was discovered in Nevada in 1859.


GARDEN STATE (NEW JERSEY) ---Travelers who drive on the New Jersey Turnpike and see the state's oil refineries and shopping malls might be surprised to know that it was once mostly farmland.



For more nicknames, click CONTINUE below.

REPAIRING BAD CREDIT

One of my husband's colleagues at work expressed how frustrated he was whenever he applies for a small amount of loan such as a car loan or a minor home redo. It was his credit score that usually determines his qualification for such loans. Because of his low credit score, my husband advised him to do what he just did a few years ago---improve credit.

So the colleague inquired how my hubby did it. He was proud to tell his friend that I was actually the one who sought help from experts to seeking help to repair bad credit.   I researched for some credit repair information that would help me and my husband could get needed help in improving our credit score. I am so glad I did it because we found something that made our financial situation much better.

My husband referred all the information to his friend. It was an online site that he urged his colleague to check out. This information would enable his colleague to get credit approval for almost anything without the fuss. Another thing, the colleague was all excited and hopeful about is the fact that he could actually save money by not paying exorbitant interest rates. I think it would change his life because it is expert assistance in improving bad credit no matter what his credit history is or background or anything like that. He was really grateful for this information. I think he would also be proud that he made the decision sooner before it's too late.

WHAT I HATE IN MY COUNTRY IS WHAT I LOVE HERE IN AMERICA

In the Philippines, there are certain things I considered detestable which I find here in America a rare occurrence. They happen only in a minuscule quantity of time, and seldom takes place. Which therefore, makes me miss them and when they happen, I either love what I hate or thank God that it's not as bad as Americans think it is.

Here are some things/events that I used to abhor in my country  which I now learn to appreciate.

1) HEAT/SUN -The heat  I experience in the Philippines used to cause my migraines. It could send my cranky buttons to activate. With the Philippine's constant above 70 degrees F temperature, it's like summer all year round. So, I wanted to be always enclosed in an airconditioned dwelling, and whenever outside, I would protect myself from the scorching rays of the sun with an umbrella (In America, umbrellas are for shielding the bodies from rain),

Here in America, in the northeastern part where I live, I long for the heat and the sun to come. With its onset, I herald it with a praise like a worshipping-fanatic. Instead of seeking shelter inside a cool place, I love getting out as much as I can to be  soaking with all the glorious rays of the sun. After more than 8 months of the icy air, getting warm is a much welcome respite.

2) MY SKINCOLOR - If you possess fair and white skin, you are beautiful in the Philippines. It's really strange when most of the Filipino women are brown-skinned but then  having your natural brown skin is always looked down and perceived to be a curse. It's a liability in every aspect of a Filipina's life even on her own country. Being brown-skinned myself, I grew up being taunted and bullied because of my skin color. Even up to my adult years,  I felt inferior because only those fair and white-skinned Filipinas are esteemed in society. Whiteness of skin equates beauty.  Though I had cast off my low self-esteem and transformed into a confident person, I still knew then I would never get that far if "looks" are the standards.  A skincolor like mine would elicit negative impressions such as "poverty" and "dumbness." I hated my skincolor so much, that I would go at extreme lengths just to whiten my skin ---using bleaching powders, whitening lotions and other lightening concoctions.

America changed it with the way I look at myself physically. Americans love my skin ---they say it's a "lovely golden brown." In contrast to Filipinas, American Caucasian women would go also to various lengths just to acquire a similar skin color like mine---the color of "luxe, beauty and affluence." Hence, the proliferation of tanning salons, tanning lotions, tanning sprays, bronzing powders, and magazine articles dishing out tips such as "how to fake a tan look." I feel beautiful here.

3) TRAFFIC---The most urbane cities in the Philippines suffer the worst traffic in the world. With few roads and highways, and a decrepit system of implementation of traffic rules, traffic in the Philippines is a constant bedlam. Traffic there can cause either paranoia, catatonia or schizophrenia. It's abominable that I could hardly live without my heart ticking like a time bomb.The beastly drivers who are driving like loons and the gargantuan-sized buses and trucks who think they're the kings of the road, competing to who'd go faster in a single-lane road, and the traffic cops who could be bought for a price of cigar---are such common street scenes. In our country, one only needs to pay the amount of money required to access a driving license, and instantly one obtains a driver's license even without learning how to drive.

When Americans gripe about their traffic, they just really mean that flow of traffic is slow---15 mph on a 60 mph highway. I would say to my husband, "Wait till you get to drive in the Philippines and complain about traffic." I like it better here. Except for a few rude drivers, at least there is a strict and rigid implementation of road laws. No one can cheat the system and rarely you can bribe the cops. Doling money for the license is not enough because one undergoes tests that could be tough to pass. In the USA, it's so refreshing to just breeze in through the streets without feeling your nerves rising at boiling point.

I am not saying I miss the traffic in my tiny country, but I know traffic in America is something that can never stress me out.

4) FILIPINO MOVIES---Before coming to America, Filipino movies turned me off. The only ones I watched are the films where my favorite Filipino actors starred such as Aga Muhlach and Piolo Pascual. Others fall short for my "discriminating taste" for quality films. The Filipino movie industry is no Bollywood. And of course, no Hollywood either. Filmmaking technology is at its primeval stage and therefore unappealing to me. Since I prefer to watch suspense, and action, I never find any good Filipino suspense or action cinema fares.

Here in the US, I have to admit I miss watching any thing entertaining that is in the Tagalog language. I have to buy Filipino movie DVD's and watch Filipino variety shows through video streams online. Without access to TFC (The Filipino Channel) as they don't serve in my area, watching Filipino movies is a thrill for me. Recently, Comcast  (our cable TV provider) launched its new service of Filipino movies and programs and I just signed up for that feature for a monthly fee of $7.99 a month. I couldn't believe I'm a sucker for something I used to avoid before. Maybe because I learned to appreciate things that are hard to come by.

I never had imagined before how I could ever get to be grateful for all the things I did not even like. Only coming to America changed all that. Sometimes a 180 degrees turn of events can really lead to flipping over the things you never knew you would never care about. How about you, what are the things that you despised before and now you learn to love or appreciate? It's great to hear from your experiences too, so please share them here.

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A SPECIAL GIFT FOR MY HUBBY'S BIRTHDAY

It's two months before my husband's birthday. By this time, I usually think of surprising ways to treat him and what to give him on his very special day. Of course, I could never reciprocate with material gifts all the love and affection he constantly pours on me, but I always try to make him get excited about gifts. Good thing, my dearest love is easy to please. No matter what you do for him or give him, it makes him happy. He has such a pleasant and exuberant outlook in life and his bright optimistic attitude are infectious.

So, on his next birthday this August, I would like to give him really something he needs but also something absolutely precious. In the past, I gifted him with all sorts of clothing, wallets, music gear, and electronic gadgets. Now, I noticed that he's been wearing his casual wristwatch for 10 years now. And it's time for it to be replaced.  So, I am thinking of presenting him one of those gorgeous Bulova watches I've seen online. I don't have enough money but when I saw it on Bluedial.com, I instantly knew that is the best birthday gift I could give him on his forthcoming birthday. All those watches they sell on this are sold at discounted prices that I can afford, including designer watches such as Gucci and Movado.

I could not believe it, but these watches are real, authentic and genuine. They are just sold at prices way below retail costs because BlueDial stocks up a large inventory of timepiece products. All the watches come with warranties. This is great, because I know he'd be overjoyed without me breaking the bank. Oh, I could not wait for his birthday to see the look in his eyes over this cool Bulova watch I am eyeing for him. I think this is a perfect gift.

SADDENED BY LOSS OF MICHAEL JACKSON, BUT STOKED BY AWARDS

I think everybody in the world is shocked by Michael Jackson's sudden death. Nobody knew it was coming. Like a thief in the night, cardiac arrest can just rob anyone of his life never to be recovered again.

Michael was an icon---a pop culture icon, the king of pop music, a musical legend and a genius. Even before his phenomenal Thriller success, I was enamored by Michael's voice and performance while he was still in "The Jackson 5." He was awesome, his voice could blow brains. When "Beat It" blasted on radio, I was floored. The sound was like no other. It was even greater with Eddie Van Halen on guitar. Then I was caught up with the mania of white gloves, leather jacket and the Moonwalk. Hit after hit after hit, MJ was unstoppable. He proved he ruled music-dom.

I learned about his death last night at 6:30 p.s. (Eastern Time) when a friend who worked in the hospital where MJ died, texted me that the king of pop was confirmed dead. I just could not believe it. He died of cardiac arrest just like my father did. Now that the news of his death are all over media, skeptics are buzzing. They are asking that there is a "mystery that hounds the death of Michael." Why in the world is a mystery in his death when doctors said he died of cardiac arrest? Is cardiac arrest not enough a reason for the cause of his death? Cardiac arrest is fatal.  Why bother probing into it and saying it's a mystery? There's no mystery in "cardiac arrest."

I think they just want to make a hullaballoo to gain profits about his death----more stories to tell, more magazines and newspapers to sell. They want to place something abject and objectionable depiction of Michael 's death---probably trying to prove to the world that he is a crackhead sniffing coke or prescription drugs, or he died of erotic asphyxiation. Oh people, let him rest. Maybe these people did not understand what "cardiac arrest" means.

It's sad to know that he died but it is going to be more disturbing to know that there are people who just don't want to bury his soul, but instead dig up his dirt. Hmmm...people still can't just get enough of MJ.

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These awards came like a downpour a few weeks ago, and I am very excited to show them  off here.

Bill of My Piece of Paradise, showered me with so much awards such as this;

 

And another award from DedeAndro, a new friend in the blogosphere whose blog is full of helpful information.

 

Thank you so much guys for all of these beautiful awards.

I'm passing these awards to;  (You can grab all 4 o them, or any one of them)

Jena Isle, Lucrecio, Elmot, Amy, Gem, Riza Bratinella, Kara, Katherine, PChi, Maxi, Elai, Lainy, PJ, Monica, and Mohammad Yaqoob.

Hope you enjoy the awards, guys.

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DON'T BE LIKE ME: ADVICE ON FATHER'S DAY

THE AMERICANS' LOVE AFFAIR WITH JOE (& HOW TO MAKE JOE CHILLY)

In the Philippines, a long time ago, I used to think coffee is for old people and only being served as a cheap hospitable fare to house guests. I also thought coffee was only served at a dead man's wake and funeral. There was this witty quip among my friends which they say whenever they attend funerals and wakes, "Let's go to a coffee party." As for non-Filipinos who need information about why funerals and wakes are nicknamed as coffee-parties , it is because "coffee-to-the-max" are  freely served all night/all morning long  to those who attend to pay respect to the dead. "You need coffee to WAKE you up. Nobody sleeps at wakes."

I never actually like coffee. My choice drinks are chocolate milk at breakfast, green tea at midmorning, water at lunch, soda in the afternoon and fruit juice in the evening. While growing up, I'd never seen people in my family sipping this popular drink. My grandma and my old uncle did, and that is why I thought coffee is for the aged. My parents are non-coffee drinkers. My father drank a lot of water as soon as he rose up, and another glass of water before going to work. My mother always had to have her fresh lemonade. We, the children, always had our Milo chocolate drink . When I was in college, I started to drink coffee. But mind you, only on the occasion of cramming to study for the next-day's exam. I would drown myself with 5 cups of coffee at 9:00 in the evening until 4:00 in the morning while trying to keep my eyes open and my mind receptive to textbooks and lecture notes.  However, coffee did not work. Coffee hushed me to the state of REM all the more.

Working in Philippine corporations was a different brew-scene. The senior executives and the elderly clients were the ones downing plastic cups of espressos. Why do old people like coffee? Maybe, cacao fortifies their almost-senile minds. Or maybe, a cup of java jolts them out of their lethargic bones and bodies. I don't know. Coffee still makes me sleepy.

When I came to America, I think the whole populace is in love with joe. Americans are so passionate with battery-acids. They hang on to it like it's their last lifeline. Everywhere I go, urbane metropolis, and distant suburbia, people cling to their styrofoam cups filled with their brews  like "hang-on-to-dear-life."  They hold deem that the ideal day must start with coffee. That life in a day cannot be complete without a cup of joe. They run to work  balancing their briefcase and a cup of coffee. They drive while sipping their capuccino. They wait on train platforms with a hand holding a newspaper and another hand cupping the espresso drink. When inside trains, they sipped it with a defty skill avoiding spills.  A balancing act indeed.  At their offices, a different kind of coffee party is steaming. Some companies offer free cups of the brew to employees. The office denizens sip their coffee as if this was work-performance is entirely dependent on how much caffeine-intake is in their blood. Americans have coffee as an integral part of their lives; having discussions, disputes and debates over coffee. Ideas energetically popped from espresso-filled systems and great businesses are stimulated from java-induced minds.

I think, Americans slurped down coffee in massive quantities and with the rise of Starbucks in the early 90's, the numbers have grown steadily turning Americans into java-junkies. I've never heard of any nationality's passionate love-affair with coffee other than Americans. In my country, this drink is pushed back to breakfast accompanying of course, rice and another dish. But on the other hand, the growth of coffee houses in the USA spurted some influence on business in the Far East, like the Philippines. So, now, although not necessarily for coffee-lovers, cafe's in the Philippines are not havens for those who are enamored with the hot stuff. The cafe's, being an influence of America's culture, are perceived to be a meeting place for the hip, trendy, cool young people and the young-at-heart. Coffee has not been regarded as an intrinsic part of the Filipinos' lifestyle. At  70 Philippine pesos ($1.45), the average price is exorbitantly high for even the middle class. Some households do have a jar of  cheap instant coffee to mix with hot water, there are also mini-sachets containing coffee powder available for those office workers who want to scrimp.

Still, the average Filipino does not consume as much as an American does. The Filipinos affair with java does not measure up yet with Americans' iconoclastic cultural lifestyle. Coffee to Filipinos is just another kind of drink. To Americans, it is life, it is love. You would never understand how I try to depict their innate passion with this warm brew, unless you come to America. Where you see different people from different walks of life sip and slurp coffee as like oxygen to breathe, America is the place.

But you know, there's one thing that both Filipinos and Americans can do with their coffee. Even with scalding temperatures of the weather, both Americans and Filipinos can down this hot stuff. Even with the searing weather, nothing can stop Americans to gulp their java fix. But unlike Filipinos,no temperature, no weather, no season, no economic condition can prevent Americans to put a halt to this lifestyle of decoction.

Now, to those who want to try a twist of their daily drink, there's an alternative; guzzling it chilly. Iced coffee has become popular especially on hot, summer days like this. So, here I am sharing a "recipe" for those who want to want it cold.

For a cool summertime brew, here's how to make the perfect iced espresso without diluting it with ice;

Pour a shot or two into a metal cocktail shaker, then plunge the shaker into a bowl of ice, twirling it around it's frosty  cold. Pour the espresso into a serving glass and sweeten it with simple syrup---a mixture of half water and half sugar that's shaken until the sugar is dissolved. Then add milk to suit your taste.

Anyway, are you a coffee-lover? Why? What does coffee do to improve the functioning of your body or your day?

RESORT FOR TROUBLED TEENS AND ADULTS

Recently, I've heard a lot of stories about despondent parents desperately seeking for help for their children. Most of these parents are those who are affluent, and whose lives are so harried and preoccupied with their careers, that they forgot their responsibilities in guiding and nurturing their children. It's such a sorry state when their children turn into alienated and uncontrollable beings, depending on drugs and alcohol to make them feel accepted or replace their negative emotions with the temporal highs given by drugs and alcohol.

The victims of drug addiction are somehow helpless themselves. Their dependency on drugs are normally caused by external factors such as lack of self-esteem, peer pressure and insecurities. However, parents and families should  be aware that there is help for drug-addicts. There is a whole wide range of addiction resource information available everywhere to start on to make the first step on recovery. Drug rehab info is one of those information available that is needed for those who need help in drug addiction.

Aside from drug addiction rehabilitation,  alcohol rehab is also one of the resources that  is  within reach for those who are alcoholics. One of those who provide such resources and treatments is the Seasons in Malibu. It is absolutely conceivable that addiction, whether drug or alcohol has hope for cure and recovery with Seasons in Malibu. It is a a drug and alcohol rehab program specifically suited for each individual guaranteed to break the cycle of addiction. As a resort, this drug and alcohol rehab program is a great big hope for those who are troubled by addiction.

DON'T BE LIKE ME: ADVICE ON FATHER'S DAY

I wanted to post something about how I miss my father today. It is Father's Day, and it is just so sad to wax melancholic about the good times I had with my father. I used to be very close with my Papa until I learned devious, rebellious ways while being a selfish, arrogant teenager. But a few months after I graduated from college, my father lost his life. He died of cardiac arrest at age 47, nineteen years ago. Since, the intimacy was not restored, I did not feel how much I miss my father until I realized everybody have fathers and I have no one.

But because I don't want to write something about how I feel today about him,  I just want to let you know that I learned a great lesson. In his last few years, I was never able to say to my Papa how much I love him. For such a long time, he did not hear those words coming out from my mouth. He knew I love him but words sometimes can make a great difference especially when it's coming from the heart. Of course, I love him, but because of my pride and my obnoxiousness, I did not say it. It was years after he passed away that I realized he needed to hear it.

If you still have fathers and you love them, please articulate those words they long to hear. Not just through a cheapo card. Nor through a ridiculously expensive techno-gizmo that will soon be just forgotten. Tell them that you love them in your own words. Because I learned that a lot of important things in life really can be too late. Don't be like me --regretting the past; should have done this or  should have said that.

You probably heard this cliche-ish and trifling advice from somewhere, from someone, somehow. And maybe you won't take this seriously because you think your issues are different than mine. But I tell you, with a rue that's gripping me so hard, I should have told him that I love him when he was still alive. And right now, on Father's Day, his absence just makes it worse. I have no father to say, "I love you Papa, Happy Father's Day!" I should stop writing now before I begin to cry.

So this Father's Day, take heed of something that really matters.

Meanwhile, I greet every father who hops into my blog;

GOLF VACATIONS

My aunt and her husband are avid golf-enthusiasts. They also love to explore and travel around the world and in the United States. Last summer, they toured around the Midwest such as Idaho, Ohio and Colorado. Traveling as a couple bonds them them closer as husband and wife. They also engage in a lot of different activities such as sailing, skiing and golfing. And I believe that spending time together with some activities that a couple both like really spices the relationship.

This summer, they are going to one of the offered  Myrtle Beach Golf Vacations down south. They said tour packages such as the Myrtle Beach Golf Package makes it easy for them to choose a golf course  and golf course specials catering to groups or teams. They already had spoken to a trained golf professional who guided them to pick the right golf course. The golf specialist even helped them select their hotel, car rental and gave them tips on the locale's interesting tourist spots. Services like these usually lure my aunt to nab such deals.

As much as I would love to go with them, the day they choose to go is not good for us. My husband and I would be in an important official event in Las Vegas but I made sure I took note of my aunt's great vacation finds. I jotted it down as " Golf Packages Myrtle Beach."  One of these days, my husband and I would go down there not only to have fun, but also spend some time relaxing and be closer together.

SOCIAL NETWORK FOR ONLINE LEARNING

Just as summer is just starting here in the USA, this same season has just ended in the Philippines. My oldest nephew, who's 16 years old,  had just entered freshman in college. Although he is majoring in Hotel and Restaurant Management, his first 2 years in college will be spent on taking general courses before enrolling in major subjects.

As I chatted with him online, he expressed his enthusiasm about the new things and new experiences he would encounter in college. I could not believe that my years ago, I  swaddled him in my arms, babysat him, and played with him. Now he  is becoming a young adult. Throughout out conversation, we talked so much about college life. I pleaded him to study hard. He promised he would. He said Science is fascinating for him but he probably needs more help. Right now, he has Biology classes, and on the first day of his class, they already had done some orientation in the biology lab. At one point, he told me his teacher hinted he would give a surprise biology exam soon. I reassured my nephew, it would be alright.