Five Question Friday

This is the first time I'm joining Five Question Friday, so here we go.

1. If you could have any talent and turn it into an occupation, what would it be?

* I'd love to be a good writer, and have my own newspaper/magazine column. I'd love to write about lifestyle and focusing on the fun things in life. There's just too much violence and crime in the news these days, so I'd like to write feel good stories and focus on the lighter side of life. We all need a good smile or laughter these days.

2. Would you rather have a house at the beach or a cabin in the woods?

* I'd love a house at the beach. With Hawaii as my homestate, nothing beats waking up to the sound of the waves and just burying my toes in the sand. After all, I am born and bred in the tropics.

3. Is there any meaning or reasoning for the names you chose for your child/children?

* No children yet, but I'm considering adopting a dog. This morning, I just thought of the name Misha. I think it's a cool name. It's easy to remember and pronounce. I imagine a chocolate Lab named Misha.

4. What is your guilty pleasure?

* It has to be shopping. I do consider about my bills and other responsibilities, but sometimes, the urge to shop is stronger. I don't know, the force is strong with this one.

5. Do you live in a house that is deep cleaned or straightened?
* Oh no, if you'd care to look at my list below, I'm a self-proclaimed procrastinator. My house can be a total mess some days, and then clean and organized some days. Also, it depends on my mood.

Twenty Questions

I got this tag last year but didn't come to my attention until last month :(. My apologies to Sis, Gandang Igorota, and thank you for this tag.

Here's the rule: Remove 1 question from the list below, and add your own personal question to make it a total of 20 questions. Tag 8 people, list them out at the end of this post. Notify them in their chat box that he/she has been tagged.

1. At what age do/did you wish to marry?
* I do not have a specific wish to marry age, but I think that it will come when I'm ready.

2. What color do you like most?
* Pink

3. If you can have a superpower, what would it be?
* The ability to fly so that I don't need to buy tickets to see the world.

4. If you can travel anywhere in the world, where would you want to go?
* Top on my list are Greece and Egypt.

5. Which part of you that you love the most?
* My eyes because they're sort of the windows to my soul.

6. When you get sad, what do you do?
* I cry and write on my journal.

7. What are you afraid to lose the most?
* The people I love.

8. If you win $1 million, what would you do with the money?
* Invest and travel.

9. What do you love the most last year (2009)?
* Finally fulfilling my wish to own a house.

10. How did you get your name?
* I am not sure where my parents got my real name, but my nickname, Kayni, was coined by my father.

11. What is the moment you regret most?
* Wasted years with a man-child.

12. What type of person do you hate the most?
* Narcissists.

13. What is your greatest asset?
* My loyalty to my family, love ones and friends.

14. If you had one wish, what would you wish for?
* My platelet count to be 150,000 and higher.

15. How did you celebrate the New Year last year?
* Watching movies with PW.

16. Name the one body part your hubby or significant other tells you he adores.
* Help!!!

17. What are you looking forward to this year?
* Two weeks in the Mediterranean and Christmas/New Year at home in Hawaii.

18. Anything in your life that you wish weren't so awful?
* My health but I'm hoping things will get better soon.

19. What's the shallowest thing you intend to do this year?
* Drive to Hershey's Chocolate World and eat a Hershey Sundae.

20. What is your worst trait?
* I have the tendency to procrastinate, then I panic when I'm overwhelmed because I've procrastinated. Does that make sense?

No tags so feel free to snag.

A Request And An Award

Please allow me to make another request.

If you still haven't voted for your top ten PEBA nominees, please vote here.  I am nominee number 2 and my entry is entitled Outside Looking In.  Thank you so much to all who took the time to read my entry. Special thank you to Cher for promoting my blog.

This is an exciting time for PEBA, as they've posted some of the chosen judges for this year's 3rd Annual PEBA International Blog and Photo Awards. Please support their cause.

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Lui, thank you for this award.

The Rules:

Be sure to thank and link back to the person who gave you the award.
Share 7 things about yourself.
Pass the award to other bloggers who you think deserves it.
Be sure to let the bloggers know you chose them to receive the award.

Here are seven things about me:

1. For months, I've been thinking of baking pandesal, but I'm not sure why I still haven't done it.
2. I don't like my hair cut at the moment. My hair curves in funny ways.
3. I think autumn is now my favorite season. It used to be spring.
4. I gave up my handbags for a backpack. It's easier to navigate crowded trains with a backpack.
5. No trick or treating at my house this Halloween.
6. For some reason, I've been having a hard time finding my jackets and sweaters at home.
7. I love the Canadian version of Heinz ketchup. It's sweeter and it's similar to the Filipino ketchup.

I'm passing the award to all my blogger friends, but special mention to the following:

- Candace
- Jayme
- The Gremlin
- Amelia

Three Things

Three things that scare me:
- Death
- Heights
- Failure

Three people who make me laugh:
- Ma and Dad (family)
- Weng
- PW Bear

Three Things I love:
- Weekend trips and travel
- Taking photos - family, friends, flowers, landscapes etc.
- Chocolate

Three Things I hate:
- Stinking office politics
- Slow DC Metro and 270 traffic
- Politicians who lie all the time

Three things I don't understand:
- Dichotomy between good and evil
- Space
- Religious debates

Three things on my desk:
- Glass of water
- Planner
- A box of tissue

Three things I'm doing right now:
- Typing
- Staring at the glass window
- Drinking soda

Three things I want to do before I die:
- Travel around the world
- Own a house in Hawaii
- Write my grandfather's WWII story

Three things I can do:
- Play guitar
- Compose poems
- Cook (sometimes)

Three ways to describe my personality:
- Antisocial
- Quiet
- Private

Three things I can't do:
- Calculate tips - anything that deals with numbers
- Run very fast
- Drink alcohol

Eminent Eight

I saw this meme at Kero's Celebration, and I thought it's a good way to put things in perspective for 2010. If you feel like doing it, feel free to snag. 

8 Movies I Recently Watched:

1. Diary of a Mad Black Woman
2. Inglourious Basterds
3. Star Wars: The Phantom Menace
4. Click
5. Envy
6. School of Rock
7. The Good Girl
8. Friends With Money
   

 8 Places To Eat and Drink:

1. Ceiba (their ceviche is great)
   
2. DC Coast (great seafood)
   
3. Pho 75 (nothing beats their Pho)
   
4. Prime Rib (steak is the word)
   
5. Bonefish Grill (Bang Bang Shrimp rules!)
6. Shilla's Bakery (great cakes)
7. Ba Le (great banh mi)
   
8. Elephant and Castle ("fish and chips" rocks but order sweet potato chips instead)
   

8+ Things I Look Forward To:

1. Overcoming or managing better my aplastic anemia
   
2. Trip to Puerto Rico (February)
3. The 2010 National Cherry Blossom's Festival (late March or early April)
   
4. Planning this year's long vacation and a possible trip to Las Vegas
5. Starting a flower and vegetable garden in spring
6. House renovation around spring and summer time
7. Increasing my savings
8. Weekend or day trips during the summer
   
9. Becoming credit card debt free
10. Riding my bike during the spring and summer
    

8 Things That Happened Yesterday:

1. Feasted on Fish and Chips at Bonefish Grill
2. Submitted documents for the annual meeting
3. Received package from Hawaii (Thank you, Mom and Dad.)
   
4. Birthday greetings and presents from family and friends
5. Paid bills
6. Laundry
7. New, fresh and clean bed sheets
8. Cooked noodles for dinner
   

8 Things I Love About Winter:

1. Snow can be so pretty to photograph
2. I love the crunching sound when I step on the snow
   
3. A great time for anything hot - soup, apple cider, tea, cocoa, and coffee
4. Sleeping is better especially when it's snowing or raining
5. More work holidays
6. Wearing coats, mittens, and boots
7. Eating spicy food 
8. Staying indoors can be so much fun
   

8 Things I Learned In The Past:

1. Each day must be lived to the fullest
2. Always tell family and friends that you love them
3. Appreciate people and always be grateful
4. Travel, travel and travel is better than education
5. Being independent is a blessing and a wonderful thing
6. Forgive and let go
7. Always keep an emergency fund
8. We create our lives (The Secret)
   

Eight

I snagged this tag from Kero. I like it because it's sort of a TO DO list which I really need to keep things in perspective. Feel free to snag.

Eight Things I'm Looking Forward To

1. vacation at the end of May
2. starting grad school this fall
3. summer weekend road trips
4. trying out that new Filipino restaurant in Gaithersburg
5. going to see "Angels and Demons"
6. baking cassava bibingka one of these weekends
7. going to see the opera Turandot next month
8. going shopping this weekend for a new bag

Eight Things I Did Yesterday

1. picked up prescription at the pharmacy
2. submitted board meeting materials
3. fried marinated bangus for dinner
4. washed dishes
5. watched Shrek 2 and Polar Express DVDs
6. prepared Mother's Day cards and letters
7. took the Metro
8. walked through the rain on my way home

Eights Things I Wish I Could Do

1. go shopping with my sister and brother
2. spend time with Mom and Dad in Hawaii
3. become a home owner
4. get to a healthy weight
5. visit Greece, Turkey, London, Paris et al.
6. become better in adjusting to changes
7. stress less
8. eat green mangoes with salt and vinegar

Eights Movies I Watched Recently

1. Shrek 2
2. Polar Express
3. The Holiday
4. Iron Monkey
5. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
6. Get Shorty
7. Be Cool
8. Journey to the West
   

My 2009 Wishes

I was tagged by Mumsified with a meme that requires 4 things:
~List down what I want for my birthday
~The list should be 10 numbers
~Post the image of this award in your posting
~Give it to 10 friends of yours.

I celebrated my birthday at the beginning of this year, but that doesn't stop me from making more birthday wishes. Probably, it's best to just call this my 2009 wishes. Please don't expect world peace or to end world hunger here.

1. My parents to have a long, healthy and happy life. They're retiring soon.
   
2. My platelets to become normal again, 140 would be awesome.
3. Travel to nearby states or visit at least one country this year. Road trips this spring and summer would be great.
4. Celebrate Christmas and New Year with both my sister and brother.
   
5. A new camera - my three-year old camera got chipped during my recent trip to Hawaii. Now it's hard to click the settings.
6. A new computer - whether it's a PC or a Mac (still deciding). I have a gut feeling my four-year old computer will go soon. I hope not because I love my MacBook.
   
7. A pay increase would be nice.
   
8. Keep my blogging momentum going.
9. Improve my savings. Shame on me for neglecting this.
10. Drive less and more walking or biking.
    

Anyone who wants to do this, please feel free to grab - special shout-out to fren, artemis, angeli, and wits.

Have Yous Tag

I was tag by Mordsith, so here we go.

1. Have you ever been on TV? Yes, during an impromptu competition in high school.

2. Have you ever sung in public? Yes, several times. I used to conduct and lead the singing of "Bayang Magiliw" in elementary.

3. Have you ever dyed your hair blond? No and never.

4. Have you ever eaten frog legs? Yes. I tasted fried ones at a Chinese restaurant. I didn't like it.

5. Have you ever received a present that you really hated? I think hate is too strong of a word. I've got presents that I didn't need, so I gave them away. But, I appreciate all presents given.

6. Have you ever walked into a lamp post? Yes. I was talking and walking with some friends and just suddenly hit a lamp post. I think it was planned.

7. Have you ever cooked a meal by yourself for more than 15 people? Yes, I cooked for more than 15 people for a friend's birthday.

8. Have you ever fallen or stumbled in front of others? Yes and a lot of times. One incident was when I was still working in Alaska, I was walking towards the office building and fell/slid through the icy pavement. There were men smoking outside, and they were very nice not to laugh at me. Instead, they pulled me up and asked if I was okay. I thanked them with a red face.

9. Have you ever done volunteer work? Yes, I have scrubbed walls in Honolulu, cleaned up garbage in Dutch Harbor, and delivered flowers at a hospice in Trenton.

I am tagging Toni & the V, Artemis, and Josiet.

Photo Tagged

I was tagged by Muffled Solitude. Thank you, Angeli.

Here's how the tag works:

Go to your Picture Folder on your computer or wherever you store your pictures. Go to the 6th Folder, then pick the 6th picture in that folder. Post that picture on your blog and the story that goes along with the picture. Tag six other people that you know to do the same thing and leave a comment on their blog or an e-mail letting them know you chose them.

Here's the picture:

This photo brings me back to my 29th birthday celebration.
These flowers were from the bf - now the ex.
We had a small party with his parents and our friends.
It was a happy day.
Flowers really cheer me up.
I can't wait for spring - when I can pick up some wild flowers again.

If you'd like to do this, please consider yourself tagged.

Blog Award

Thank you, Witsandnuts, and you do know that I do find your blog brilliant in design and content as well.

***This award is bestowed upon a fellow blogger whose blog’s content or design is, in the giver’s opinion is brilliant.

The rules:

When accepting this auspicious award, you must write a post bragging about it, including the name of the misguided soul who thinks you deserve such acclaim, and link back to said person so everyone knows he or she is real.

Choose a minimum of 7 blogs that you find brilliant in content or design. Or improvise by including bloggers who have no idea who you are because you don’t have 7 friends. Show the 7 random victims’ names and links and leave a harassing comment informing them that they were prized with “Honest Weblog.” Well, there’s no prize, but they can keep the nifty icon. List at least ten honest things about yourself. Then, pass it on!

Here's 10 random honest things about me.

1. My hair has been "really" short for the past 10 years. I am thinking of growing it long. We'll see how long my patience will last.
2. I don't like gourmet coffee or tea. If I drink coffee or tea, I'll have it black, but occasionally I'll add milk and sugar.
3. I love walking in the rain or snow. I find it relaxing.
4. I wear sneakers on my way to work, then change to my working shoes in the office. It makes my commute easier.
5. I drink cocoa before I go to bed. It's a tradition.
6. I haven't been to the movie theatre for almost a year, as I do like watching DVDs at home where I can truly relax. But I think I'll go watch Harry Potter on the big screen this year.
7. I love purple and pink.
8. Since I came back from Hawaii, my sleeping pattern has been screwed.
9. I eat ice cream even in the midst of winter. There's a store near me that offers free ice cream whenever it rains or snows.
10. I dread my next bone marrow biopsy.
    

The seven random victims of this award are:

1. knittering - I love the drawings and crafty ideas on this blog. This blog makes me say, "I wish I was crafty."
2. Because It's Human Nature to Communicate - This blog is filled with family stories and LOVE.
3. mordsith - I actually thought she's a Sith Lord, but she's more of a Jedi. The force is strong on this blog.
4. kumareng grace - I feel lucky to have a cyber kumare. I enjoy her travel postcards so much.
5. Embracing Everyday - I am new to reading this blog. This blog has given the value of love and hugging to a higher level.
6. Kero's Celebration - The owner of this blog is family, and family means a lot to me.
7. Journal of Kuyanin - I am new to this blog, but his blog has excellent design and content. Not to mention that the cold December wind blew him and landed on my blog.
   

Six Quirky Things About Me

I was tagged by Little Miss Firefly to list six quirky things about me.

1. I could be a clean freak for one day then totally become a slob the next.
2. I sometimes wear flannel pjs while out shopping - this usually happens during winter.
   
3. I "was" a drama enthusiasts, but now, I only watch comedy and action adventure.
4. I have a potted Calamansi in my apartment, which I'm hoping will start bearing fruits soon.
5. I am crazy about anything cute. I'd go into a Sanrio store and spend hours there. If you want me out of a stationery store, you have to drag me.
   
6. I don't own a microwave just because I don't want to.
   

* I'm not tagging anyone, but if you like this tag, please feel free to do so.

7 Random Facts About Me

I was tagged by Cheryle to post "7 Random Facts About Me." Here it goes:

1. I have a merchant marine's license and used to work as a purser for American Cruise Lines. I had a wonderful experience sailing to all the Hawaiian islands except Ni'ihau.
2. I was the regional impromptu speech champion but lost in the national level. I was devastated because the national champion represented the Philippines in Australia.
3. I have a black belt in Taekwondo. I have started training when I was 15 until 25. I haven't trained in years so I am very rusty. Through Taekwondo, I learned so much about myself and a lot of my friends I met through training and demos. Yes, I can still break boards.
4. A number of my family wanted me to go into the medical field, but I told them that it is not my interest. Besides, I've always believed that if you follow your interest, the money will come. I was right. I am happy I took History. I am now in the process of applying for grad school.
5. I spent three years working in Dutch Harbor (part of the Aleutian Chain), Alaska. I started as a processor and moved on to become QC. I then went on to work for a hotel there and was provided housing and food privileges within the hotel. It was a sweet deal. Housekeeping and laundry were also included.
6. I met Svetlana Boguinskaya in Alaska. She was known as the "Belarusian Swan," and she's a three-time Olympic champion. You can read more stuff about her here. Since Dutch Harbor was quite close to Russia, I think she was there to encourage children to get into gymnastics.
   
7. I am the third and youngest child in the family. There's a nine-year gap between me and the second. I love being the youngest child.

* I am tagging Artemis, Kumareng Grace, Josiet, and Layad. Do it when you have the time gals, and don't forget to have fun. I did.

Happy And Sad

I was tagged by Artemis.

Here are the Rules:

1. List the things that make you Happy and those that make you Sad.
2. Tag other online friends you know.

WHAT MAKES ME HAPPY?

1. my family
   
2. living "my" life
   
3. seeing the world, travel
   
4. letters - real letters from family and friends
5. my blog and my blogger friends
   
6. fulfillment and success in my career
   
7. reading and to be surrounded by books
   
8. blooming flowers
   
9. being comfortable with who I am
   
10. sweets - chocolates and cakes
    
11. a home cooked meal
    

WHAT MAKES ME SAD?

1. departures, separations and goodbyes
2. unfulfilled promises by me or someone else
   
3. when my mailbox is empty
4. a quarrel/fight with someone
5. sickness
6. seeing someone crying and in pain

I am not tagging anyone in particular, but if you like to do this meme, consider yourself tagged. Have fun!

In Case (and I Thought) You Want To Know

I was tagged by witsandnuts.

I am: in a state of restlessness - so many things going on at work
I think: that I'll soon understand why certain things are happening in my life
I know: that we can always begin where we are
I have: a dog named Basset and I love him to bits
I wish: I was on vacation
I hate: the smell of cigarette smoke mixed with humid weather...yak
I miss: my older sister and brother
I fear: losing my parents; they're now in there 60s
I hear: my colleague's typing
I smell: no scent except for the cool air (AC) going through my nostrils
I crave: for pastillas de leche, suman, lechon rice, and bibingka made in the Philippines
I search: for Filipino movies and TV shows online =)
I wonder: if there's life after death
I regret: not giving my best in college
I love: chocolates, stationeries, and teddy bears
I ache: whenever I leave our family home
I am not: fat, I am just healthy
I believe: that every thing happens for a reason
I dance: when it rains and when I like the music
I sing: when I'm in the shower or alone in my car
I cry: when I'm hurt or when anyone close to me is hurt
I fight: for my rights and the rights of those who can't speak up
I win: every time I feel good about myself
I lose: my patience easily
I never: leave the house without my phone
I always: try to look at the brighter side of things
I confuse: "there" and "their" sometimes
I listen: to what my heart and mind whenever I need to make a decision
I am scared: of not accomplishing my goals
I need: a pay increase
I am happy about: my family and current life
I imagine: a world of peace and harmony

I’m tagging Angeli, Artemis, and Ganda.

Bucket List

I was tagged by Miss Firefly.

**List 8 things you would like to do or accomplish before you die.

1. travel around the world, eat all sorts of ethnic/traditional food, meet people, and experience different cultures
2. write my grandfather's World War II experiences as a guerilla fighter, and I also want to write a children's story
3. finish graduate school
4. own a house in Hawaii and Maryland
   
5. make my parents happy, and I'd like to take them to a European trip
   
6. build a bed and breakfast in Sagada
7. see my two older siblings settle in a comfortable life
   
8. live my life to the fullest - be it with someone or not

I am tagging anyone who wants to do this meme.

I Would Make an "Okay" 1930's Wife

• You have some of the attributes of an ideal 1930's wife but you probably didn't intend it to be that way.
• You don't buy into retro gender roles, though you do embrace your femininity at times.
• A 1930's man may find you passable, but you probably wouldn't want anything to do with him.

I am tagging: Kero, Caryn, iMom, Witsandnuts, and Daphne

For the questions, please go to: http://www.blogthings.com/wouldyouhavebeenagoodwifeinthe1930squiz/

Book Tag

I got tagged by Kero.

The Rules:

1. Pick up the nearest book of 123 pages or more. No cheating!
2. Find page 123.
3. Find the first five sentences.
4. Post the next three sentences.
5. Tag as many people you want.

Book: Inkheart by Cornelia Funke.

Meggie soon gave up counting the doors they passed before Basta finally stopped outside one. But she did count the black clad men. Four of them were standing on the corridors, looking bored.

* I am tagging: little miss firely, wits and nuts, and Toni.