Just Reading

In Afghanistan a woman's longing for love is taboo. It is forbidden by the tribes' notion of honor and by the mullahs. Young people have no right to meet, to love, or to choose. Love has little to do with romance; on the contrary, love can be interpreted as committing a serious crime, punishable by death. The undisciplined are cruelly killed. Should only one guilty party be executed, it is invariably the woman. Seierstad, Asne, The Bookseller of Kabul (2002).

Have a great weekend everyone!

A Peek Into My Home

I was just making my weekend list a couple of days ago, and I can't believe that the weekend's almost over. I was able to accomplish a couple of things on my list, so I feel good. Unfortunately, my appointment to visit the prospect apartment didn't push through as they didn't call to confirm my appointment in time. They said they will call me to set up another date. I guess this is one hint of how management is like in that apartment complex.

Anyway, I picked up a few seed packets for my planned balcony garden, so when the temperature finally settles down, I'll be able to start with my green project. Most of my time was spent purging, organizing, and arranging my apartment. Here are two photos:

This is my small dining room. There were newspapers scattered all over the floor, so I finally bundled them for recycling. I like to keep my dining table simple and clean, and I just love how I can look out through the glass walls while having breakfast or lunch. It's the perfect place to drink tea especially when it is snowing or pouring rain outside.

Here's the busiest nook in my place, the entertainment/living room. I've just built that small bookcase, and it makes the corner a lot "homier." I like to keep my life simple, and I prefer less furniture. If you live in an apartment, it's easier to move with less baggage. Spaces and being able to breathe is most important for me.

Do you believe that a person's home is a reflection of his/her personality. What do you see?

Weekend To Do List

I am ready for the weekend. This week felt longer than it should, and that I am simply uninspired and bored. I have a few things that I really need to do, so I need to get my act together.

1. I am currently on an apartment hunt. My lease won't expire until December, but I just want an early look at what other apartments are like. This task won't be easy during the fall and winter months, so it's best to do it now.
2. I need to pick up some seeds for my balcony garden which means potted plants. I would like to keep my balcony green this spring and summer. I am thinking of planting a mixture of herbs, vegetables, and flowers.
3. I have to pick up another bookcase for my other books.
4. I need to organize my home office. I've simply been throwing stuff around and now I can't find some of my tax documents.
5. I am in need of comfort food, so I need to look at my recipe collection. Hmmm...what to cook, what to cook? I'm still thinking.

Happy weekend everyone!

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.

I'm IN!

I got accepted to Georgetown University! I am so elated, and I can't even describe what I'm feeling right now. I filed my grad school application before I flew to Hawaii for Christmas. I wasn't so sure I was going to be accepted as I felt that my essay was lousy. I received their letter yesterday, and since it was thin, I thought it was a rejection letter. In the tradition of applying for college, a thick (a welcome packet) or thin letter sort of tells you if you got accepted to a university of your choice or not. When I got the letter, I actually threw it on the dining table and proceeded to cook dinner. It took me a few hours of self convincing to open the letter and get the "rejection feeling" over with. So I did, to my surprise it read, "I am pleased to inform you that you have been accepted in the Georgetown University Liberal Studies Program..." I was silent for a moment, but I guess it took a few minutes to sink in before a huge smile formed on my face. It's that feeling of assurance that something good is happening. I want to relish this good feeling before the serious studying begins.

Where Does Sleep Go?

It's passed 12 AM, but I am nowhere near being sleepy. This happened last night too - not to mention the other nights, as I tossed and turned until 3 AM. Funny thing is, even if I slept that late, I'd still be out and about at 7 AM. In my younger years, I do remember sleeping like a log and waking up as late as 10 AM. I sorely miss those days. Ugh, I really sound old. I keep wondering what the heck happened. Why sleep is evading me these days? Even at nights I do get some sleep, I would wake up even to the softest click or chirp. It was two years ago when I realized that I have unwillingly become a light sleeper who suffers from insomnia from time to time.

Is this all part of growing old? Have I succumbed to the damaging effects of stress and anxiety? If one cannot sleep, where does sleep go?

Part II: Winter Shots

Here's a few more winter shots I took this Monday. My favorite is the neighbor's boy enjoying the snow. I guess he was happy because school was canceled. Here he is all bundled up.

Winter wonderland? Really, it doesn't feel like a wonderland when you have to walk through snow in order to get to work. Also, driving in this type of weather is really dangerous. I've witnessed a lot of cars just sliding off the roads causing major accidents.

This is my un-shoveled path to work.

Icy cushions anyone?

Winter country setting...that's the famous cabin where parties are held every summer.

Farewell winter. Welcome spring!
I really hope spring will arrive S-O-O-N.

The Office Scene

I'm too eager to get this week behind me for several reasons. First, the snowstorm which really put a damper on my spirits; second, death in the family which made me emotional and angry (anger for reasons I can't disclosed); and, third, annoying office politics and gossip. There's this silent war between two or three coworkers, and they all end up whining in my office which makes me sort of the shock absorber for all their queries and qualms. The two, as the third doesn't complain much, are so insensitive that even if they see me busy and purposely ignoring them, they'd still sit in and keep up with the dissing and hissing each other talk. Yesterday, I was on the brink of losing it, when I apologetically told the hisser, "I'm sorry I have to do this, but you have to leave because I have a deadline to meet." He was silent at first, but then got up and left.

This morning, the hisser came back with more news. Sigh, some people just don't listen. I think my next step would be to remove the guest chairs in my office. How would you handle this?

Aloha 'Oe

I've been thinking really hard how to post this, as I've been finding myself becoming emotional. My Auntie Puring passed away on February 28. I still cannot believe it or that I refuse to think she's gone. She's been such a huge part of my life, and that she's also my godmother. I don't want to make this post sound like an obituary, but I do want to remember all the good things about her.

Today, she is being escorted to Bontoc for her burial. She is in my thoughts and prayers. I think my emotions are best described with this sweet Hawaiian song written by Queen Liliʻuokalani.

To Auntie Puring,

Aloha 'oe, aloha 'oe, (Farewell to thee, farewell to thee,)
E ke onaona noho i ka lipo, (Thou charming one who dwells in the shaded bowers)
One fond embrace A ho'i a'e au, ('Ere I depart)

Until we meet again.

Cold Start To Snowy March

March began really cold and snowy, and here was I hoping for spring and warmer weather. Here's a few of the scenes I passed through on my way to work today. My hope for early spring was doused with snow.

Picture0095.jpeg, originally uploaded by Ewa Girl.

Rockville 2009, originally uploaded by Ewa Girl.

Rockville Snow, originally uploaded by Ewa Girl.

Rockille, originally uploaded by Ewa Girl.