I have so much thoughts in my head to write but I am running out of time. My husband wants us to watch "Vantage Point" and so I sit down with him and the kids........the next thing I know, it's about time to hit the bed. Anyway, I can always rewrite the whole entry on a later time. For now, let me stop here and leave this glittery note.

......or was it? Oh well, let me just ask Dale b/c he's older than me and besides, he'll be 49 very, very, soon hahaha. Hey, at least I am being honest about his age and save you time from guessing. I have decided to make this post quite different from the ritual paragraphs with punctuations and marks and since I am blessed with "two scores" plus two more........I think I have the very motivation to put into writings my "42 reasons" why I must be grateful. So, are you all ready? Here it goes.....

1. I am the 1st child, "firstborn" is what I called it.
2. Was born July 1st, forty two years ago.
3. Reared by two great parents, a mom who's a HS grad & a dad who never finish grade school. Am I embarrass of the fact? NAY!
4. Grew up with three sisters in a home that's not grand BUT it's "ours".
5. Never experience to have a brother BUT "God" bestowed me a son. How great is that?
6. Witnessed our dining table with scarce food on it, but we were always healthy and well fed.
7. While other kids our age go without on Christmas day, me & my sisters always had new clothes to wear to church on that day.
8. It was a jubilation for a kid like me, at the time, to realize we had "electricity". Some neighbors to this day, are still on an "oil lamp".
9. Had our first black & white television set when I was in 6th grade. Whew! that was really a BIG deal hahaha.
10. Renting never cross my parents mind, so we all grew up in the home that belongs to us.
11. First to experience being in front of a crowd when I was in 1st grade to lead the National Anthem. I thought that was cool!
12. My 1st grade teacher was my father's 1st grade teacher hahaha.
13. I was an honor student during my grade school years. I don't brag about it. I think the word "smart" isn't for me to claim, IT'S for the people to say.
14. I was gifted with courage and never been a "timid" type. I am a sales girl right from the very beginning.
15. I sold a lot of candies to classmates & schoolmates during my years in grade school.
16. I am a business-minded gal and had the first taste of it when I traded in some bubblegums for 20 sheets of writing paper in 2nd grade hahaha. I should be working for NYSE today.
17. I am somebody to beat in Math in HS. My report card is something every parent wish to see.
18. I was a class rep during my 1st & 2nd year in HS for end-of-the year activities.
19. I'm in a band as a drummer from 3rd to 4th year.
20. I went to Vocational School for a year and graduated with Typewriting & Stenography cert.
21. Finished college with a Bachelor degree in Elem Ed.
22. Has experience about dealing with fifth graders.
23. Been to Singapore and lived there for six years.
24. Spent a week of nothing but fun at Malaysia's "Genting Highlands".
25. I've seen Brunei Darussalam.
26. I've experienced life in Hong Kong. Good food, great views, and everything in between hahaha.
27. I learned some of the languages (Tamil, Mandarin, Malay, & Cantonese), learned how to cook their cuisines as well as adapting to their customs & traditions.
28. Let me add Seoul, South Korea to the list.
29. Being exposed to countries sooo progressive changed my life and my perspectives.
30. How I look now and how I carry myself didn't just happen overnight. Moreover, living in America has nothing to do with it. I am who I am years before I met my dear Dale.
31. OK, it's getting more interesting now that I am closing in to the period of "no return". It took 4yrs for my husband and I to get married. That's a lot of years of thinking hahaha.
32. That "once-in-a-lifetime decision could either brings "misery" or "happiness". Fortunately, I am very happy and much contented.
33. Finally tied the knot and made our vows July 15 almost 12yrs ago.
34. I don't believed in "COHABITATION", so we never practice the so- called......."TRY IT B4 U BUY IT" logo hahaha. He bought it first and then tried afterwards, which is the best way to go.
35. I never spend a dime on our wedding. Dale foot the bill on everything.
36. A year later my precious son, Josef, was born.
37. Jann followed almost 4yrs later.
38. These two kids really brought so much joy to our lives. Children, as we know it, makes every married woman's life complete. I would feel empty inside without my kids.
39. Having a bright child is always been  my dream. God responded by giving me two brilliant ones. One boy and the other, girl!
40. Both of them are honor students, so I am entitled to claim........"Proud Mom Of An Honor Students".
41. Though I'm already have a degree on me, adding one more won't harm me at all. So, Dale sent me to school to be a nurse.
42. At present, I am a Nursing student. Back then, I believed that "Those Who Care Teach" but now I am here to say that "Those Who Teach Care". I used to teach but very soon I'll be caring a pt.

That's all for today. Thanks a lot for reading but much more for holding. I know some readers has a "jealous heart" and gets so "envious" in a heart beat. I can't help I got 42 reasons to be grateful. If you can't stand them, that's your problem and not mine. As the saying goes.......if you can't handle your neighbor talking about "burglar" and "robber", YOU SHOULDN'T MARRY A THIEF". That's all there is to it !!!

Gosh! I have yet another long week on my end. This time though is very different for we didn't do much running around. I spent most of my week to school related stuff. I am gearing up toward something more whimsical and has to build up and broaden my intuition about it. NO! I am not going into details for majority of my readers can't relate to it. Discussing something here that only me could comprehend would be like "Leonardo Da Vinci" explaining to pre-schoolers how did he came up of painting the "Mona Lisa". I did answer the invitation (for nursing student only) of registering early last Tuesday and enrolled for early registration. Paid in full for my Fall sem and gathered all the textbooks that's needed. That's one duty that I don't have to do later. Duties are all around me hahaha. First day of class for my Fall sem will be on the 18th of August. Schools in "state" of Alabama are in "a week difference" from its school year depending on the county you're in. It don't matter if it is a University, College, Middle School or grade schools. One week is all the difference! So in the end, some schools will get off a week early than others but not months.

My dear Dale finally put up my new STSSER over the week. I was opposing him about the plan b/c he doesn't have any "major" electrical background on his sheet hahaha. He was told that I am ready to pork in $300 for the electrician to do the job. He has "some" knowledge about short circuit and such but not a major one and I was kind of nervous for him to do all the wirings and connections. He made a trip to his fav hardware store and talked to the owner. A model of the whole stuff was shown to him and coaching was added hahaha. When he came home, he's ready to go into action. We were on a natural gas by the way, and that's why he had to run some wirings and make a new connection. My new electric range is now up and running. Thanks to my dear dearest and his talent, I've saved a lot and kept my $300 from going to electrician's pocket . Thanks a lot for reading and have one spectacular Saturday to all !!!

If I have to guess, this post would probably put you all to sleep hahaha. My family and I had a very long week and believe me, I could write a book about it. I'll try my very best to "cut the chase" and "beat around the bush" and shorten it instead. OK, here we go.....

Monday, I took Josef to his "Orthodontists". I was a bit nervous b/c I know "braces" could run from hundreds to thousdands of dollars if he ever need it. Thank Heaven! the check up turned out well and all his teeth seemed to be in the right place where they're supposed to be. He's not going back 'til next year for another check up. Whew! that's a relief. I just porked in 2grands for his trip to Washington DC & NYC in Spring. When we signed him up we were told that his travel fee will only cost us $1,500 but after the "travel insurance", "refund insurance", and "registration fee", I end up porking in 2grands. So, seeing his Orthodontists and hearing him say $3,000 for braces is the last thing I wanna hear. Wouldn't you feel the same way?

Tuesday, my dear dearest took us to "Rocky Point" to swim. We had food and munchies with us to enjoy. The weather was real nice and cooperative until after an hour or two when suddenly sky turned gloomy and started thundering. We hauled out of the water and never wait for the lightning. Flashing sky and water just ain't a good combination. Besides, two hrs of fun for us in the water was great enough. Came home to a "message" left from our answering machine. It was my school's Nurse Director. She's asking me to return her call. It must be important so Dale called back. Nobody pick up the fone but since my husband let her know we were home, she gave me a ring once more. I was offered a choice to be in the program that will graduate sooner or stay where I'm at. I chose the latter. There's no point of rushing to the stage to graduate. I don't care if everybody gets their diploma before me, "the rule of thumb" is........you can't practice your profession nor work at any hospitals UNLESS you pass the board exam and get your license. What's the point of getting to the stage early and get stuck for long at home b/c you can't pass the NCLEX. I love to think "logically". Dale's wondering why me over multitudes of candidates. I only have a couple of answers for that. One, is that I am a priority b/c of my GPA and another is b/c I am getting near to graduate.

Wednesday, we went fishing to Bell's Fish Farm. My husband told his uncle that we were there as a customer. I guess, we don't like "free fish" that day hahaha. Dale was the very first to get a bite but the fish was darn huge when he's pulling it to the bank, it came off the hook. What a luck! Josef never did get a bite for hours until he decided to fish in the bottom and took the bubbler out of his rod. All our catch was credited to my son for he caught almost all of them except for two. Dale caught one and Jann caught another. All I thought "lady luck" was on Jann's side the whole time we were waiting for the bite b/c she caught one after another. The sad part was fish is slipping off the hook whenever she tried to pull it from the water. At one time, Josef helped her out but she got cranky and considered the fish "uncounted" hahaha. So, Dale made it a point that he doesn't care if it is "Moby Dick" hahaha, the next time she gets a bite, we'll let her pull it herself. Jann's indeed her dad's lil' princess, can't you tell? In the end, we brought home 36lbs. It's a dollar and a half per pound, so you do the math.

Thursday, we're out of town shopping for a swimming pool. We did some grocery shopping too. We never filled my SUV with groceries but we got a lot. Pulled to the driveway and unload. Jann wouldn't wait another second for the pool to remain in the box, so daddy dearest hastily gathered all his tools to put the pool up. Water wasn't even deep enough to swim but our baby girl was in it with her swimsuit on and enjoying the slowly soaring water hahaha.

Friday, we went to "Warm Springs" in Georgia to visit FDR's "The Little White House". We bought a bucket of KFC and some munchies to go with it and had a family picnic. We roamed around Franklin Roosevelt's Park also and spent our day touring the entire facility. Took tons of shots and visited two of their popular "gift shacks". Hello! are you still with me or what? I told you this post will put you all to sleep. I'm not going to make it any longer than it is, so I thank you all for reading and have one sweet Sunday everyone !!!

The "man of the house" worked yesterday and so we never get the chance to take him somewhere to celebrate. His "Father's Day" gifts were given to him as soon as he walked through the back door. Our baby girl, Jann, was on the look out and can't wait for him to pull in our driveway. When she spotted his truck coming she hollered......."he's here!, he's here!" to her bro. Both of them hastily pulled the father's day cards out from its hiding place and with those cards in hands, they hid behind the bar and surprised their dad with a thundering "Happy Father's Day To The World's # 1 Dad". Dale's eyes were teary, I could tell. He was touched deeply by how his kids appreciate him as their daddy. It was a memorable moment! Jann doesn't always feel "openhanded" when it comes to her dad, so I asked her if I could kiss dad first hahaha just to avoid misunderstanding. Who would want to ruin the big day, anyway? When she said yes, all of us laughs hahaha. See, I told you my family tree is full of nuts.

We went to church as our routine on a Sunday morning. Got out of bed earlier than usual b/c Josef was a "greeter". We need to be there before everybody does in order for him to hand Sunday bulletin to every parishioner who step to the door. Shopped for some groceries after church. Well, you know the drill. When you think you got everything when you are grocery shopping, more often than not, you'll forget something. Went straight to "Video Warehouse" for Josef's game after the store and then headed to the house. That's about our Sunday. I hope you all have a wonderful week and thanks a bunch for reading !!!

Between packing up and to unpacked I would surely prefer the first. I have noticed that getting ready all you need to tow are less time consuming than putting back stuff from where they belong. I've finally taken care of all that since yesterday, THANK HEAVEN! I am a 'lil stiff right now from all the moves that we have had at the mountain hahaha. Our trip went great and sweet and to tell you the truth, it turned out to be one of our most "romantic getaway" so far. We brought with us a lot of snacks to munch on. Roughly sixty bucks worth of munchies to enjoy but consumed only a quarter of it. We're constantly on the move and just don't have enough time for chewing hahaha. The place was spectacular and the views were just awesomely panoramic. We have the chance to spent time inside the park's 4D theater and boy, it was an experience! You can see and feel what's going on the story as if it is happening on a real time. We rode on a cable car which they called "Sky Lift" to the top of the mountain. This is not my first time to be on one but the big difference was that in Singapore cable cars were to cross the water that connects your port of entry to your destination while this one crossed the stone mountain itself. Lasershow was unbelievably prettyful. It's so moving b/c it touches all about America and its history. While watching and listening to the background, it made me feel sooo proud being an American. Topics as such are hardly teach in school now and kids in today's generation learned just a bit of this country's history. Fortunately, such information could be seen and heard from some of our National Parks like the "Stone Mountain".

Breakfast at the "Marriott" was quite costly. It's $13/person for some grits, fried eggs, some bacon, and toasted bread. I guess I am sooo used to pay six bucks for my breakfast at "Ihop" and "Waffle House" hahaha. The park must be very popular and known b/c at the hotel's parking lot I've saw vehicles with tags as far as "Michigan", "Nevada", and "New Jersey". My dear dearest said he don't mind going back but I replied........."let's try another spot" hahaha. You may wonder if we visited the parks "gift shops/souvenir shacks" and my response is...... YES, WE DID! In addition, my dear Dale took me to my fav "Oriental Store" to get stuff for my pantry. I tell you, $300 nowadays won't even filled your buggy hahaha. My fav box of noodles was $9.99 but now its a dollar more. Place three boxes to your cart and there you go your $33. Red snapper is $5/lb and my fav "live blue crabs" is $4/lb. Everything is going up except for a "pygmy" like me hahaha. To those who wants to view the fotos we took, just hit the sample shot below. Thanks a lot for reading and may you all have one superb Saturday !!!

If there is one thing in this world that I am hesitant to do, that would be "advertising" our plans way ahead of time. I don't see the need of telling it to the world especially if it is a year from now. I guess, I don't want people to think that I am just a "good talker". Making plans and put them into actions are two different things and more often than not, informing everybody about it way ahead of time virtually ends up just a "mere talk". I know my husband's niece has been talking about going to Nursing school years before I came in the country and believe me, 'till to this day she still does it hahaha. My Dale will just whisper to me........"I just hope she'll get tired of saying that line, I'm sick of hearing it" hahaha. Some people are good talker than others and at times "longings" that can't be experienced are just oozing out thru words. Anyway, my dear dearest booked us a room earlier this week at "Marriott". We are giving our kids a "cool treats" for being on the "honor roll" the entire school year. Their daddy has also purchased all our tickets. I don't like the idea of giving all the details. Will update you all after the trip. And hey, don't ever presumed that we're boarding on a plane b/c we're not.

My trip to the salon yesterday went smoothly. We haven't took our lunch here but ate "something lite" before we left the driveway. My appointment was in the afternoon and they're an hour behind us, so putting a lite meal in our system was a brilliant idea b/c my Dale wanted us to have lunch at "Whispering Oaks" restaurant after I had my hair done. He knows that it'll take at least 2hrs (give and take) for the lady to get done with me and that's really a long wait to not having anything in our food sac. We are truly the "foodies" hahaha and have so much enthusiasm to gorge out. Thanks a million for reading and have one soothing Saturday to all !!!

Both of my kids finally tackled Tuesday, May 27th, as their last day of school. Summer has officially started for each of them since yesterday. Jann was undecided to begin with, whether or not be at school last Tuesday b/c she believed that last day is all about "watching kids fav movies" and "picking up report cards" which is likely the case. She went anyway after asking me if I could come around 12pm to pick her up. It was close to 1 o'clock when I told my husband to get her. Report cards were to be released at sharp 2pm, so both daddy and his princess came home empty handed. They had to go back for it and also to pick Josef up. By 3pm, my brood were home and running and doing a lot of rackets. I know I have over two months for it, so I might as well be ready for the "great fun" hahaha. The rest of our Tuesday was spent mostly in the yard except for my dear dearest who are real tied up with the kitchen fixing all we needed to have for the beach trip.

We never leave our driveway on Memorial Day b/c he was scheduled to work that day but in exchange, he made plans for us to have a picnic by the lake the first day of the kids summer vacation which was yesterday. We spent over 4hrs in the water and really has cooled down to the max. Freshwater is really refreshing and the fact that it don't bother my kids eyes, made my brood to soak there for long hours. We had a blast! As for the vittle, I'd say it's delectable. For a lighter note, my dear Dale made an appointment for me at the salon tomorrow. He really thinks that I'm about due for another makeover hahaha. I fully comprehend that I can't change my face and I was left with one and only one choice and that's........to concentrate on my hair . Thanks a bunch for reading and I hope you all have one terrific Thursday !!!

This past Friday was a great day for all of us. First off, I asked my Dale if he could ride with me to "Lowes". I know "Father's Day" is fast approaching and this time it's certainly my turn to return the favor. He's been a great "handyman" around here, so I thought he would love to find something that he doesn't have yet from Lowes and add them to his collection of tools/gadgets. It's indeed a bright idea on my part b/c it lit up his eyes upon hearing those words of mine hahaha. Inside the store, he picked his items and placed them on the push cart. We need to meet at the other end of the store, so he went ahead and moved his truck to that direction. While pushing the cart with his stuff on it, I bumped into an old acquaintance and she asked me what those "boxes" are for. I told her they're for my dear dearest as a "Father's Day" presents. All she said was....WOW! but later found herself laughing nonstop when our conversation went from boxes to doing yard projects. I have added that Dale just put up all the privacy fence between us and our neighbors from both side of our property. She then asked if I was of any help. "Not a bit on putting up the fence and actually it was our Jann who helped him out by pouring mixed cement on the posts' bases", I replied. "What did you do then?", she continues. "I sit on my split", I said. Boy, she thinks that's very very funny.

Anyway, later that afternoon we went to "Peppermill Grill" in Salem. My dear husband had to make a reservation for us. A table for four, that is! This high end eatery really means business that you need to call ahead and make a reservation due to tight customer ratings. Though we don't have to be on a gown and tux, people who came and ate there were those of privilege, elite, and those who lives in $$$$ homes by the water hahaha. I could care less even if they're driving a "Platinum Lamborghini" hahaha. Who give a darn? Jann's on her flip-flops and I'm on my "slip-on". The food wasn't that spectacular but the price was as close as those of "Red Lobster". We may never go back but at least we can say that we've tried. Thanks for reading and may you all have one frolic "Memorial Day"

Oh well, I got an award from my Bicolana pal "Cleo" and though it took me about four days to show it off, I certainly knew she would comprehend my reason for the delay. Thanks a bunch girl for crossing my name into your wit hahaha. I have been caught up with a lot of things around here lately. My dear dearest had finally put up the privacy fence that devides our property from the neighbors on the right. Whew! that's really one tough task, I tell you. I've picked after him plus I planted some colorful flowers at the front yard and cleared some unwanted "eyesores" from the view. My darling Clementine and I are both "meticulous" when it comes to our yard hahaha. Talkin' about "finicky" "fastidious" couple and though not to the extreme, we want our yard to look tidy. Who doesn't ?. We weren't in any competition to have a "manicured lawn" but at least we managed to own a clean cut one.

Thursday was my kids "Awards Day" at school. Jann had hers in the morning at around 8:30 and Josef had his in the afternoon. It was a sight to see countless of vehicles at the school's parking lot. This year's awards day was a big "turn-out". It's indeed an "eventuate". As expected, Jann our baby girl, swept-clean" all the certs that's available from her teacher. After the event, me and my dear dearest headed to "Waffle House" and had our breakfast. To be honest with you, it's a "weird feeling" not having the kids with us that morning. I am sooo used to be on the go with all four of us and to realize that our table just have two occupants that morning gaves me a chill. After Waffle House, we did some running around and stopped here and there. At 12:30 we need to be back to school to see Josef's award ceremony which of course we did. Josef got all the certs that he deserved and boy, it was a flying moment when he got the "overall award" for best in Language. I have nothing to prove anymore b/c both of my kids are really good if not great in their studies. Their academic skills are "unbelievable". He'll be in the "Middle School" come August. And as what as I told him......"it's another new whole ball game" out there. These parents who are "kiss-ass" who cooks and bakes and brought their wagons and mules for the party that way their kids will get something during the awards day, IT'S OVER WITH. If your kids doesn't have it, you might as well give up your hope to get a medal at the end of the school year. Middle School won't give medals away unless you study hard for it. Thanks for reading and I hope I entertain you thru my post today !!!